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Three-time World Superbike champion Toprak Razgatlioglu is set to step onto one of motorsport’s biggest stages this weekend, becoming the first rider from Türkiye to compete in MotoGP, the premier class of international motorcycle road racing.
The national athlete will begin his debut season at the Thailand Motorcycle Grand Prix on Feb. 27 at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, marking a historic milestone for Turkish motorsports.
The 29-year-old rider said ahead of the race that representing his country in MotoGP excites him, while stressing that adapting to the new category will be the immediate priority before competitive results begin to follow.
MotoGP is widely regarded as the highest level of motorcycle racing, comparable to Formula 1 in car racing, where manufacturers develop prototype machines built specifically for competition rather than production-based motorcycles.
Razgatlioglu will line up for Prima Pramac Racing aboard a Yamaha YZR-M1 machine during the 2026 season, racing with the number 07, a reference to Antalya’s license plate code. With this debut, he is set to write his name into history as the first Turkish rider ever to take part in the championship.
Speaking before the opening round, Razgatlioglu described the transition from World Superbike (WSBK) as demanding, explaining that the motorcycles differ significantly in riding style and technical behavior. He noted that the team’s main focus is to get fully accustomed to the bike and adjust his riding approach, adding that stronger performances are expected after several races once adaptation takes hold.
He summed up the moment by saying, "Being the first Turkish athlete to compete in MotoGP is, of course, very exciting," highlighting both the excitement and the challenges that lie ahead.
Born on Oct. 16, 1996, in Alanya, Razgatlioglu grew up around motorcycles through his father Arif Razgatlioglu, a rider known in Türkiye as “Tek teker Arif,” meaning “single-wheel Arif.” He first began riding at the age of seven and later developed under the guidance of Kenan Sofuoglu, captain of the Turkish Motorcycle Federation national teams.
Sofuoglu recalled that he had supported Razgatlioglu from a young age before taking him fully under his mentorship at 14, helping shape his racing pathway and competition schedule.
The rider first gained major attention after breaking the Istanbul Park circuit record at 16 and winning the Turkish championship, before stepping onto the European stage by claiming the 2015 European Superstock 600 title.
Razgatlioglu arrives in MotoGP after building one of the most successful careers in World Superbike history for a Turkish athlete. He secured world titles in 2021, 2024 and 2025, becoming the first Turkish rider to win the championship and later ending British rider Jonathan Rea’s six-year title streak.
Across eight seasons in WSBK, he competed in 258 races and finished on the podium 173 times, repeatedly bringing Türkiye into the spotlight of international motorsports. During the 2024 season, he also set a record by winning 13 consecutive races, reinforcing his reputation among global racing fans, many of whom refer to him as “El Turco.”
His second and third titles came with the ROKiT BMW Motorrad team, delivering BMW its first and then second riders’ championships in the series.
While expectations are high, Razgatlioglu emphasized that his debut season will revolve around learning and building experience rather than immediate rivalry with established MotoGP contenders. He explained that once adaptation is completed, stronger race results should follow naturally.
Beyond competition, Razgatlioglu underlined his desire to serve as a role model for young people, stating that motorsports remain relatively unfamiliar in Türkiye compared to other sports.
He expressed hope that continued success would help the discipline gain visibility and encourage more young athletes to take it up, ultimately strengthening Türkiye’s presence in international racing.
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