In the leadup to the Pirelli Emilia-Romagna Round’s Misano World Circuit “Marco Simoncelli” the biggest news of the 2025 silly season broke- Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) will depart from his BMW factory team and join MotoGP’s Pramac Yamaha for the 2026 season! The news hit the paddock like a bombshell, and before the riders lock in for the weekend’s race action, they gave their reactions to the defending Champion’s breaking news.

Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): "It feels bittersweet, I feel like WorldSBK is part of my family"

On the #1’s move to the MotoGP paddock, Razgatlioglu said: “It feels bittersweet, I feel like WorldSBK is part of my family, many years I’ve ridden here and been around the paddock; but now I am following my dream and am moving to MotoGP. I will miss the people the most this paddock is really relaxed, and things feel friendly with the teams, the media personnel, everyone. I am focused on fighting with Bulega and winning a third WorldSBK Championship. I feel like I need to give something to BMW in this last year as a rider for them.”

Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati): “I’m not so happy for myself because next year I will lose a very good rival.”

On the departure of his Championship rival, Bulega said: “I’m happy for him that he’s going to MotoGP because I think it’s his dream and I think he deserves it. He’s been in WorldSBK for many years and always has performed at a high level so I think he deserves a chance to go up to MotoGP. I’m not so happy for myself because next year I will lose a very good rival. I enjoy fighting with him because they aren’t dirty battles, maybe next year another strong rider like him will come, but we will have to wait and see.”

Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team): “I consider Toprak a good guy, and one of the most talented riders I've ever met so I'm really really happy for him”

A race winner in both MotoGP and WorldSBK, Petrucci said: "I'm so happy for him, I consider Toprak a good guy, and one of the most talented riders I've ever met so I'm really really happy. It will be cool to see him on a MotoGP bike, He has the potential to be really fast, he just needs to adapt to the bike and everything over there. I think it’s coming at a good moment for him and that he can be fast right off the jump, so I'm excited for him."

Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing - Ducati): “I'm happy for him because he is following his dream and I hope he is able to succeed there."

On his longtime rival and fellow member of the ‘Titanic Trio’s departure, Bautista said: “It’s always nice to see him taking another step to see how he will be preforming MotoGP, he has been very successful here and won lots of races. It won't be easy to adjust, different bikes, tyres, tracks, but I'm happy for him because he is following his dream and I hope he is able to succeed there."

Andrea Iannone (Team Pata Go Eleven): “It’s very good news for all of the Motorcycle world. Toprak achieved a really great opportunity for himself

Iannone knows well what it is like to ride in both paddocks, and he said: "It’s very good news for all of the motorcycle world. Toprak achieved a really great opportunity for himself, I'm happy for him because I know how much he wanted that chance. I think he will have a lot of fun with them in MotoGP, so good luck Toprak!"

Xavi Vierge (Honda HRC): "Congrats to Toprak, it’s very very well deserved. I wasn't expecting him to go next year”

Honda rider Vierge said: "Congrats to Toprak, it’s very very well deserved. I wasn't expecting him to go next year with how Pirelli is going in 2027, it made more sense to me that he would do something like Bulega, but I also understand his position that he has already won here, and he wants to go. I'm sad for WorldSBK as we lose a respected Champion, but we will be watching him."

Axel Bassani (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team): “We have all seen what he can do on track, he is not a normal rider so I'm excited to see what he can do over there"

On the defending Champion’s leaving the paddock next season, Bassani said: "I'm really happy for him, I know him, and we have all seen what he can do on track, and he is incredible, he is not a normal rider. He has something special so I'm excited to see what he can do over there."

The last round of the first half of the 2025 season kicks off tomorrow. Tune in for all the race action live with the WorldSBK VideoPass! Now 30% off!