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Toprak Razgatlioglu frustrated: Sachsenring GP was “worst weekend”

Toprak Razgatlioglu could not finish higher than 15th in the MotoGP race at the Sachsenring. The Yamaha rider struggled with his tyres and described it as his most difficult MotoGP race weekend to date.

MotoGP

12.07.2026 - 21:15

This article is an automatically generated English version. The original article was published in German.

Großer Rückstand: Toprak Razgatlioglu erlebte kein gutes Wochenende
© Pramac

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Before the start of the season, critical voices dominated, but the World Championship rounds so far have shown that the rule changes are delivering exactly what was hoped for: excitement right up to the final lap.

Toprak Razgatlioglu left the Sachsenring feeling extremely frustrated. The Pramac Yamaha rider finished the German Grand Prix in 15th place, the last of the riders to cross the line. The Turkish rider was more than 38 seconds behind winner Marc Marquez. His conclusion afterwards was correspondingly blunt: “That was the worst weekend for me.”

Razgatlioglu had already complained of massive tyre wear during the Sprint race. In the Grand Prix too, the MotoGP rookie couldn’t find any confidence in the Michelin tyres. “I didn’t enjoy the race at all because I had to constantly manage the tyres and the rear wheel just kept spinning. That was very difficult,” he explained. “I gave it my best, but I kept losing a lot of time in the same corners over and over again. We just couldn’t improve.”

At the start of the race, Razgatlioglu was still trying to keep up with his Yamaha team-mate Alex Rins. However, a small mistake cost him his place in the pack. “After that, I lost my pace and was on my own. The only thing I’m glad about is that this weekend is over. Now I’m focusing on Silverstone.”

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Major frustration: Razgatlioglu struggles with the Michelin tyres

For the three-time Superbike World Champion, the Sachsenring was completely new territory on a MotoGP bike and with Michelin tyres. He sees this as the main reason for his difficulties. “I usually like this track. But with the MotoGP bike and these tyres, it was extremely difficult. You need a good set-up, a bike that turns in well, and you have to manage the tyres perfectly. I wasn’t relaxed on the bike at all.”

Toprak Razgatlioglu sammelte einen Punkt, war aber langsamster Yamaha-Pilot
© Gerhard Schiel

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He was particularly frustrated that even LCR stand-in rider Cal Crutchlow overtook him. “When Cal overtook me, I was really surprised. His bike turned in better and had more grip than mine. I tried to stay with him, but it wasn’t possible.”

Fundamentally, Razgatlioglu does not question the efforts of his Pramac team and Yamaha. “Thanks to Yamaha, because everyone works very hard every day,” emphasised the Turkish rider. “But we’re not making any progress. I haven’t improved at all, especially in the second sector. That’s why I’m saying it was my worst weekend yet.”

Changing tyre compounds are a source of frustration for the MotoGP rookie

Razgatlioglu sees the different tyre compounds used from track to track as a major problem. “I’m only just beginning to understand the bike and the tyres. But every race weekend brings different tyres. That’s destroyed my motivation. I’d got used to one set of tyres and then we come here and ride on completely different ones. You’ve got grip on one side, but none at all on the other. That’s very difficult. The others know the track, the tyres and exactly how to ride with them. It’s perhaps a bit easier for them. For me, this weekend was a disaster.”

Despite the sporting setback, the numerous Turkish fans at the Sachsenring provided a ray of hope. “I saw lots of Turkish flags. That gave me motivation,” said Razgatlioglu. “But I’m sad because I couldn’t deliver a good result for them. They come here for the sport and I only finished 15th. They support me anyway, but I want to give something back to them. That’s why this weekend was particularly tough for me.”

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