28 May 2026

Razgatlioglu targets soft‑tyre breakthrough after Catalunya progress

Toprak Razgatlioglu left the Catalunya MotoGP test convinced he had taken “a really big step”, especially in race‑focused work with Yamaha’s latest V4 chassis. After struggling with the notoriously low grip of Barcelona throughout the weekend, the WorldSBK champion concentrated on improving corner entry and turning with the medium compound, producing consistent 1’40.0 laps while riding alone. However, switching to a fresh soft tyre brought no time gain, exposing a clear weakness in qualifying trim.

Data comparisons with Fabio Quartararo showed Razgatlioglu still reverts to his Superbike instincts during time attacks, picking up the bike early and demanding drive rather than carrying corner speed. He acknowledged that the Michelin soft requires a smoother approach and slower throttle application, something Quartararo executes effectively over one or two laps. Razgatlioglu believes mastering this technique is essential to start further forward and remain with the lead group. Mugello will offer his next opportunity to refine it.