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Toprak Razgatlioglu's (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) upcoming switch from the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship to MotoGP for 2026 generated headlines around the world. WorldSBK’s riders reacted to the news last week at Misano and now it’s time for MotoGP’s competitors to discuss the new arrival for 2026, with the likes of Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia and more discussing the two-time Champion’s switch.

MARC MARQUEZ: “I respect his riding style a lot; it’s different, especially in WorldSBK with the stoppies”

Eight-time World Champion Marc Marquez led the praise ahead of the Turkish superstar’s arrival, saying: “Toprak and I have a very good relationship. Sometimes, we keep in contact by telephone. I respect his riding style a lot; it’s different, especially in WorldSBK with the stoppies going into the corner! Let’s see what he can do in MotoGP. I think it’s good for MotoGP to have another Champion inside our category with a different riding style, different nationality, so just… welcome Toprak!”

FERMIN ALDEGUER: “He uses the #54 but now it’s mine… he’ll have to pay me a lot for this!”

Rookie hotshot Fermin Aldeguer has seemingly won the first battle with Razgatlioglu… over who will use the #54. He stated: “He rode with the production bike a lot, but MotoGP is very different. He uses the #54 but now it’s mine… he’ll have to pay me a lot for this! It’s difficult to understand the electronics and how to understand the carbon brakes. He has a lot of talent to go fast.”

PECCO BAGNAIA: “If he can adapt his riding style and braking style to MotoGP, he could be competitive”

Two-time MotoGP Champion Pecco Bagnaia was on-site at Misano to see Razgatlioglu claim a hat-trick, and he said about his MotoGP switch: “I was at Misano for Nicolo Bulega and Stefano Manzi. I really enjoyed the fight. I was sure that wasn’t easy for Nicolo because he was using a front tyre that was not ideal for him. It was tough. Toprak is doing a fantastic job. He’ll have to adapt. Here, the tyres are different, everyone is braking super hard like he’s doing. It won’t be easy. I think the first season will just be adapting.”

He then added in the MotoGP Press Conference: “I think it’s the correct moment of his career to jump to MotoGP. It’s true that everything is a bit different compared to WorldSBK. He’ll have to adapt to the tyres and stiffness of the bikes. I think the first season will be an adaptation and then, if he can adapt his riding style and braking style to MotoGP, he could be competitive.”

PEDRO ACOSTA: “He’s from this Kenan group and he works super hard with the riders to bring results”

Pedro Acosta knows what it’s like to be a high-profile rookie in MotoGP and he said: “I don’t have any expectations. We can see he’s super talented and in every class he’s gone through, from the Rookies Cup to WorldSBK, he was doing a really good job. He’s from this Kenan group and he works super hard with the riders to bring results. I think, maybe in the beginning he will struggle but, sooner or later, he will do a really good job in MotoGP.”

ALEX MARQUEZ: “He’s showing how brave he is…”

2014 Moto3 Champion and 2019 Moto2 Champion Alex Marquez said about Razgatlioglu: “I know him from the past. He’s a super nice guy. He’s showing how brave he is because when you’re in a Championship like WorldSBK, when he’s fast, he has everything quite under control but then want to change and try different things, you show you’re brave. It’ll be nice for the Championship to have a Turkish rider here. It’ll be interesting to see the adaptation from Pirelli to Michelin, from Superbike to MotoGP.”

MARCO BEZZECCHI: “He rides very well and brakes so hard…”

Four-time Grand Prix winner Marco Bezzecchi said: “He’s showed very good speed and skills. He’s a World Champion and he’s a very good guy. I don’t know him that well, but I could see that he’s a very good guy. He rides very well and brakes so hard. He’s a strong rider and has many positive points. Of course, the bikes are going to be really different, but we’ll see how his adaptation is. In the end, he already tried the Yamaha a few years ago. I don’t know how it went but he will adapt sooner or later.”

In the Press Conference, he added: “We all saw his performances in the past years, he won two Championships with different bikes. He’s already tried the MotoGP bike, so he knows what to expect and if he’s making this move, it means he’s ready. I’m happy for him, I know him and he’s a very good guy. We wait to have a battle together!”

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