– Even though Toprak Razgatlioglu left Mugello without points, the Pramac rider draws a clearly positive, albeit realistic conclusion. The Turk talks about technical progress in interaction with his motorcycle and how crucial the feeling for engine braking remains for him.
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Razgatlioglu, known for his uncompromising braking maneuvers, describes the race Sunday above all as a clear turning point in the setup of his bike.
Especially in the morning during warm-up, he felt a completely changed motorcycle: “I rode a completely different motorcycle. I feel much better, the bike stops better. And I carry more speed through the corner.”
This change was a big step for him because he had a real feeling for the engine brake again for the first time. This point is central for the three-time Superbike world champion. His entire riding style depends heavily on it.
Razgatlioglu describes his biggest problem
“I think the key for me is the engine brake. When I feel it, I ride much better.” Without this feedback, he can hardly decelerate the bike as he is used to from the Superbike world. “If I don’t feel the engine brake, I don’t use the front tire properly. That is my biggest problem.”
Photos: MotoGP: Grand Prix of Italy (Mugello) 2026, Grand Prix
Also in discussions with the team officials, this aspect has now been clearly identified. The crew has understood that this is exactly where the lever for further improvements lies. According to his own assessment, Razgatlioglu is currently on a good path, even if not everything is perfect yet.
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“If we continue like this, we will improve a lot,” believes the Turk. Although he is not yet fully in the ideal rhythm, the direction is right.
Important insights gained for the setup
“I am not quite in the Toprak style yet, but it is going a bit in that direction. I am not really strong on the brakes, only in some corners. With this tire, it is difficult,” he says. Both tires and engine characteristics are significantly different from the Superbike area, which makes adaptation difficult.
But Razgatlioglu is optimistic that the development is not over yet. The current package is not yet mature, but the learning curve is right: “We lose every weekend at the beginning, but in the end, we get better.”
Especially Mugello, a track with long straights and hard braking zones, is traditionally considered demanding for riders who work heavily on the brakes. All the more important was the gained confidence in the engine brake for him.
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Now the 29-year-old hopes that with the new insights, they can be more competitive already at the start of a race weekend in the future. “If we start at this level in Balaton Park, that would be incredible for me,” he looks ahead to the Hungarian Grand Prix. “But we will see. That is my goal.”
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