With Toprak Razgatlioglu’s much-anticipated debut in MotoGP announced for next season, it’s time to assess the consequences his arrival will have - both for Yamaha and for the championship as a whole.
The Turkish rider’s signing is far from an ordinary move by Yamaha — the brand with which he claimed the WorldSBK title in 2021, before moving to BMW, where he also won last season’s championship. His close relationship with Paolo Pavesio, the new head of Yamaha’s racing division who recently replaced Lin Jarvis, sparked speculation in both paddocks that the Alanya-born racer might eventually make the leap to a series with far greater global reach. The imminent acquisition of Dorna by Liberty Media should only amplify MotoGP’s exposure and popularity.
