Toprak Razgatlioglu scored his first point in MotoGP at the Americas Grand Prix, but this achievement comes with a bittersweet taste. Despite a lacklustre Yamaha and a ranking that doesn’t reflect his ambitions, the young rider managed to capture attention, particularly that of Fabio Quartararo.
Revealing 15th Place
Razgatlioglu’s 15th position in Austin makes him the top Yamaha rider in this race, surpassing seasoned competitors such as Jack Miller, Fabio Quartararo, and Álex Rins. This is a notable feat for someone who is discovering the premier class of MotoGP. Quartararo did not miss the opportunity to highlight his teammate’s impressive evolution on the Circuit of the Americas.
Quartararo: “Impressive All Weekend”
“Yes, really, not just in the race, but all weekend,” declared the French rider after the race. On Saturday, Razgatlioglu had already shown his speed, and during the warm-up, he further impressed. For Quartararo, it’s clear that the Turk has learned to ride his bike well: “His way of doing things is good.”
A Tough Race for Quartararo
On his side, Quartararo faced a challenging race, marked by unfruitful settings. He was overtaken by Razgatlioglu three laps from the finish, a situation he hadn’t imagined before. “I had seen him really desperate during the winter tests,” he confides. Yet, this weekend, Razgatlioglu demonstrated exemplary management of his rear tyre, reminiscent of the qualities he showcased in WorldSBK.
Lessons to Learn
Quartararo continues: “The problem is that my tyre degraded massively in the last five laps while he remained consistent. He was riding smoothly, true to his Superbike style.” He concludes by stating he was genuinely impressed by the rookie’s performance.
Toprak Razgatlioglu (Pramac Racing)
Miller Shares His Observations
Jack Miller, who finished just behind Razgatlioglu in this GP of the Americas, also noted the young rider’s performance. “Toprak is doing a fantastic job and had a good race,” he commented. He was closely watching the battle between Razgatlioglu and Quartararo and hoped it would slow them down. However, it turned out that Razgatlioglu managed to hold his own.
Dovizioso Highlights Future Potential
Andrea Dovizioso, Yamaha’s test rider, also speaks of Razgatlioglu’s promising debut. Although he believes the rookie has not yet reached his full potential due to his adaptation to Michelin tyres, he already notes his capabilities. “Toprak is not yet riding the bike to perfection because he hasn’t fully mastered the tyres yet.”
A Surprise Among Veterans
Dovizioso adds: “He is measuring himself against other Yamaha riders who are seasoned winners. It’s a surprise. No one expected it, and yet, in Austin, he managed to do better than Fabio, an exceptional talent.” This statement underscores not only Razgatlioglu’s performances but also the competitive dynamics within the Yamaha team.
In Summary
- Toprak Razgatlioglu scores his first point in MotoGP.
- He finishes as the top Yamaha rider in Austin.
- Fabio Quartararo praises his performance throughout the weekend.
- Dovizioso and Miller acknowledge his potential despite technical challenges.
- Razgatlioglu continues to impress the veterans of the competition.
