Toprak Razgatlioglu will test Yamaha’s MotoGP machine for the second time following his 2022 outing on the bike, the Japanese manufacturer announced on Sunday morning.
The Turkish rider has made clear his intentions in recent months of his desire to switch from the World Superbike Championship – where he currently competes as Yamaha’s team leader within its factory squad – to MotoGP, Razgatlioglu lately declaring his target was to race in the series in 2024.
Those aspirations now look even more realistic following Yamaha’s announcement that the 2021 WSBK champion will join MotoGP test rider Cal Crutchlow at Jerez for the two day test across Monday and Tuesday next week as the brand continues to evaluate whether a series switch would prove practical.
With inclement weather having shortened Razgatlioglu’s first test on the M1 at Aragon last May, he said he was looking forward to receiving more running on the bike in order to “understand better the demands of racing a factory bike in MotoGP.”
“I am looking forward to testing the YZR-M1 MotoGP bike at Jerez, a track I like a lot,” said Razgatlioglu.
“The last test in Aragon was limited by the weather, but in Jerez it looks like we’ll have better conditions and more track time.
“It will give me the chance to understand better the demands of racing a factory MotoGP bike, so thanks to Yamaha for giving me this opportunity.”
Yamaha Racing Managing Director Lin Jarvis added that he is “very curious” to see the level of Razgatlioglu on the M1, the Briton revealing that he would be attending the test personally in order to witness the 33-time WSBK race winner’s further development towards a potential premier class campaign.
“Firstly, let me say it is our pleasure to be able to give Toprak another opportunity to ride the YZR-M1,” began Jarvis.
“I was unable to be present at his previous test but this time I will be in Jerez to follow the testing and I will depart straight from there to attend the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin next weekend.
“Toprak is an extraordinarily talented motorcycle racer, and I am very curious to see his speed on our Factory MotoGP machine.”
With 2021 MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo currently under contract with Yamaha until the end of the 2024 season, Razgatioglu’s only chance to secure a berth with the marque would be in the seat currently occupied by Franco Morbidelli.
The Italian has struggled significantly to match Quartararo since joining the team towards the end of the ’21 term, though an impressive Argentinean Grand Prix showing last time out –where he scored a pair of fourth places in the sprint race and grand prix respectively – could prove critical in his attempts to keep the seat, though whether he can keep up this speed remains to be seen.
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