Pramac team manager: “Razgatlioglu not yet a real MotoGP rider”

– Superbike world champion Toprak Razgatlioglu was often on the level of the other three Yamaha riders during the first four MotoGP race weekends, but since the new V4 motorcycle is not yet competitive, good results are hardly possible.

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Razgatlioglu has already spoken several times about the situation being “difficult” and often “not fun.” But he tries to do his best and to see the season as a learning year.

Pramac team manager Gino Borsoi, himself a former racer, can understand Razgatlioglu’s frustration. As a rookie, the three-time Superbike world champion is still at the beginning of his MotoGP career.

“Well, in my opinion, he still has to improve his MotoGP mentality,” says Borsoi. “I can’t say too much. He is still in this process, but not as far away as at the beginning.”

“His progress is clear, but not yet sufficient to be at the level of our paddock. He is a nice, really professional guy and good for us. Also, he is very smart.”

“As soon as we teach him something, he really understands it. He tries to implement it immediately when he goes back on track. How many months or seasons he will need to become one of the top MotoGP riders, nobody knows.”

“But he is definitely a talented, a smart rider. I hope it will really be soon.” Razgatlioglu also tries to learn from his three experienced brand colleagues.

At the Monday test in Jerez, Yamaha test rider Andrea Dovizioso was also in the Pramac box and talked with the Turk. “I always trust him, I always listen to him,” says Razgatlioglu about the three-time MotoGP vice world champion.

“He is very important to me because he sometimes observes the action from the outside and always tries to help me and find a way. He explains it to me, but it is not easy to implement.”

“When I see him in my box, I am always happy because he really helps me understand the MotoGP style. We work together very often.” Another important area is understanding the Michelin tires.

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Borsoi: The motorcycle drives Toprak

Razgatlioglu’s timing for the MotoGP switch therefore came at a very difficult moment for Borsoi: “He has to adapt to the Michelins, which are completely different from the Pirellis.”

“And then he has to forget everything next year. Honestly, it was the most difficult moment to come into our paddock. It is a big task, but he can manage it.”

“Toprak came here because he wants to show that he is fast. At the moment, he cannot do that for various reasons. First, because he lacks some experience. Second, because the motorcycle does not allow it at the moment.”

Photo gallery: The career highlights of Toprak Razgatlioglu

“But he has won three world championships. Of course, he will never accept being at the back. That is clear, I understand that. Probably someone else would have lost their nerves much earlier.”

“Someone else would have started banging on the table much earlier. I have said it before: He still has to improve some things to be a proper MotoGP rider.”

“But not because he lacks talent, but because he lacks experience,” says Borsoi. “The main problem for him at the moment is understanding the tires. Honestly, he has big difficulties with the front wheel when braking.”

“He realizes that he cannot brake the way he wants. Then he occasionally talks about the engine brake, that the electronics do not work for him. But it is really a combination of things that prevent him from riding.”

That is why Borsoi thinks Razgatlioglu is still more of a “passenger” at the moment: “At the moment, the motorcycle drives him more than he drives the motorcycle. There are moments like in America or even in the last part of the race in Jerez.”

“There he was the one who drove the motorcycle. He was faster at the end than at the beginning. That sparked new discussions. We are now investigating why he manages to be faster at the end than at the beginning with new tires. It is absurd, but it is a starting point that can help us.”

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