Was Toprak Razgatlioglu fast enough for a MotoGP move?
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However, with other MotoGP test teams also present, lap times soon leaked out suggesting a best by Razgatlioglu of 1m 38.860s after 116 laps over the two days.It has been confirmed to that Razgatlioglu’s best time was, as reported, 1.4s behind KTM’s Dani Pedrosa – the fastest rider on track – but closer to 1.0s from official Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow.As at Aragon last year, Crutchlow (who recently underwent knee surgery) was present to help Razgatlioglu adapt to a MotoGP bike, having successfully made the transition from WorldSBK himself in 2011.Is MotoGP Chasing The American Dream like F1? | MotoGP Podcast EP.84Video of Is MotoGP Chasing The American Dream like F1? | MotoGP Podcast EP.84But as ever with testing, a one-off best lap time only tells part of the story.For example, how many time attacks did Razgatlioglu conduct? What was his average pace like? How much does he still need to adapt his spectacular riding style?understands that Razgatlioglu fitted three new tyres, in the final hour, to set his fastest lap time.But perhaps more concerning in terms of a MotoGP move was that, during the middle of the day, he was said to be running 1m 40s while the fastest MotoGP test riders were setting ‘38s. The official Jerez race lap record is 1m 37.669s and pole record 1m 36.170s.Related Enea Bastianini also out of COTA Moto Keith Huewen: Honda right to protest ‘sloppy’ Marquez penaltyOf course, it was only Razgatlioglu’s second MotoGP outing, on a bike very different to his WorldSBK-spec R1. Razgatlioglu’s talent is also beyond question, having won 33 WorldSBK races and holding second to Ducati’s Alvaro Bautista in the early 2023 standings.Razgatlioglu completes latest MotoGP test, what are his options for 2024?But as things presently stand, it appears Razgatlioglu still has a clear gap to bridge to match the best MotoGP test riders – widely regarded as a ‘first step’ towards being ready for a factory MotoGP race seat – and likewise needs more changes to his riding style to suit the unique nature of a GP machine.Razgatlioglu’s manager Kenan Sofuoglu has made clear he will only consider a factory MotoGP place for the 26-year-old. Yamaha is the only MotoGP manufacturer that could offer such an opportunity for 2024, with Franco Morbidelli’s current contract expiring at the end of this season.It is not clear when Razgatlioglu might test the M1 again, but he will be back in WorldSBK action at Assen next weekend.
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