Toprak Razgatlioglu, the reigning 2021 and 2024 World Superbike (WorldSBK) champion, has set his sights on MotoGP for 2026, but only if the offer comes from a factory team.
According to his manager, Kenan Sofuoglu, the Turkish rider will only make the jump to MotoGP under the right circumstances-namely, a factory contract similar to the high-profile deals of elite riders like Jorge Martin at Pramac, who enjoys full factory support from Ducati.
Sofuoglu made it clear that Razgatlioglu’s goal is to compete at the highest level with the best machinery available, saying, “In 2026 we would like to go to MotoGP, that is our goal. We will evaluate all the opportunities on the table.” However, he also emphasized that they are not willing to settle for a non-factory setup, like Marc Marquez’s current deal with Gresini, which he labeled unsuitable for Razgatlioglu’s ambitions.
“Marc has great support and strength behind him, while we in Turkey have no sponsorship, let alone weight in terms of support,” Sofuoglu explained, suggesting that Razgatlioglu would need the full backing of a manufacturer to succeed in the fiercely competitive MotoGP paddock.
Razgatlioglu previously tested Yamaha’s MotoGP bike but, without a solid offer from the team, he opted to sign with BMW, where he has continued to shine in the WorldSBK championship. While BMW remains his current priority, Sofuoglu left the door open for MotoGP if the right factory offer comes after 2025. “At the moment BMW is our priority, but we still don’t know what will happen after 2025,” he said.
Interestingly, BMW itself may have a stake in this potential move, as rumors have circulated about the German manufacturer’s interest in entering MotoGP during the 2027 regulation overhaul. Although the timeline differs, a collaboration between Razgatlioglu and BMW could be an intriguing possibility for the future, especially considering BMW’s acquisition of Suzuki’s MotoGP data after the Japanese manufacturer’s exit from the sport in 2022.
At 29, Razgatlioglu would be one of the older riders to join the MotoGP grid, competing against a younger generation of talent. However, Sofuoglu remains optimistic, stressing that age won’t be a barrier if Razgatlioglu secures the right package.
The MotoGP paddock could soon welcome one of WorldSBK’s brightest stars, but only if a factory seat aligns with Razgatlioglu’s ambitions. Until then, the Turkish rider continues to dominate in the World Superbike championship, with his future in MotoGP still hanging in the balance.
