It is the Arlesian. For several years, the rumor Toprak Razgatlioglu has always returned to the carpet; Sometimes with Yamaha in MotoGP, sometimes with Honda, as it is the case lately. Personally, I do not think it is realistic and I do not believe that such a transfer would serve even one of the two parties. Here is why.
A level of deviation?
My biggest problem with Toprak does not concern him directly. I love his celebrations, I respect his talent and, above all, I admire his personality. I would like to see more pilots like him in MotoGP, but unfortunately, I don’t think its place is here.
What I’m going to tell you only engages me, but I find that the level in Superbike has dropped considerably, and this, for quite a long time. What is the last defector who really made his hole in GP? In the late 1990s and early 2000s, we had monsters from WSBK, like Troy Bayliss and Colin Edwards. But since Cal Crutchlow, who has succeeded? Ben Spies, a little prodigy of the discipline, did not make an impression, to say the least.
I have nothing to say about his talent in superbike. Photo: BMW
Toprak is quite dominant in Superbike: he has already won two world champion titles, with Yamaha then BMW. This year, he is still in the spot, yes … But against whom? Let us be interested in his competition more closely, because, after all, this is what determines the greatness of a pilot.
The first in the championship is none other than Nicolo Bulega, What says a lotwithout wanting to disrespect him. Indeed, the latter benefits from a very efficient Ducati, but we cannot rewrite history: Bulega left the World Cup because he couldn’t. After a successful first year on a motorcycle3, he stagnated two years in the soft belly of the smallest of the categories. Then, it went in Moto2, without success.
His last season in Grand Prix ended with a 26th place in the general classification, at the end of 2021, for Gresini. Then, in 2022, he went into supersport, and instantly, became one of the best. He even won the world title of this class in 2023, triumphing over 16 races over the year! At the beginning of 2024, switch to Superbike, still on Ducati. And here he wins his first race as soon as the opening round. A year later, he is the favorite for the world title. I do not denigrate his talent, because I have already defended Bulega when he was in Moto3, I think he is very good. But he does not play in the same division as MotoGP pilots, I’m sorry to say.
I could also tell you aboutAlvaro Bautista40, who is still fighting against Toprak. When he took the plunge, it had been several spring that he was no longer competitive in MotoGP. We also find Andrea Locatelliwho failed in Moto2, but also Danilo Petrucci34, or Andrea Iannone. The simple list of these surnames must make you understand that the comparison does not hold.
-What can Honda win?
Toprak has a better time to quietly become a superbike legend. Photo: BMW
Honda would not even have much to win. Choosing Toprak is to make a huge bet on the future, because who knows if the Turk can be fast on the handlebars of a MotoGP? During a test carried out by Yamaha in Jerez in 2023, he pointed to seven tenths of Cal Crutchlow, and a second and a half of Dani Pedrosa, which is not a current reference either. It’s huge, and it’s probably already too much. In addition, Toprak is already 28 years old! He is no longer a young wolf with a huge margin of progression.
Honda needs a quick leaderyoung, capable of carrying the stable, whether now, or after 2027, A date not to be missed. I think I am able to quote ten pilots that would be better for this mission, even if I know that the Turkish market is enormous and that its nationality can play in negotiations.
On the grid, the winged firm can turn to Pedro Acosta – it is the other rumor of the moment, which, in my opinion, makes more sense. In the near future, Honda can also hope to recruit Fabio di Giannantonio, or even, Ai Ogura. And for later, why not dream of a Pecco Bagnaia in search of a new challenge, or, more enticing, of a return from Marc Marquez after having won everything in red. Despite its recent distrust, Honda’s financial power and its prestige give it strong legitimacy, which will attract all the pilots – A bit like Ferrari in Formula 1.
Even if it means bringing a new one, as much to bet on one of the Cadors of the Moto2, a championship full of talent due to the accumulation of pilots who cannot claim better lack of space in MotoGP. Alonso Lopez, Aron Canet, Manuel Gonzalez and their competitors are as much more credible candidates, in my opinion, than Toprak.
Again, all of this engages only me. I am curious to have your opinion on these incessant rumors. What do you think? Tell me in comments!
As a reminder, this article only reflects the thought of its author, and not of the entire editorial staff.
I could also have mentioned Johann Zarco or Fermin Aldeguer for the official handlebars. Photo: BMW
Cover photo: BMW
