RAZGATLIOGLU FACES THE BRAKING STRUGGLES THAT HELPED END BINDER’S MOTOGP RUN

Toprak Razgatlioglu’s difficult adjustment to MotoGP braking was again evident at the Japanese Grand Prix, where he finished 17th after struggling to stop his Yamaha. The problem echoes the tyre-related difficulty that has contributed to Brad Binder’s departure from the premier class: KTM will not renew the South African’s contract beyond 2026, and he will move to BMW in WorldSBK next season.

Razgatlioglu joined Pramac on a two-year Yamaha deal after leaving BMW’s WorldSBK team, where he won three titles. His braking was a major strength there, but adapting that technique to the Yamaha M1 and Michelin tyres has proved challenging. At Motegi, he said the tyre seemed to push the motorcycle forward under braking, making it hard to slow the bike and maintain a consistent pace.

“I experienced the same problem again in the race,” Razgatlioglu said. He added that he found a better rhythm after six laps and could reach the 1:44s, but still lacked confidence and was pushing to his limit. “I’m fighting with the bike, and that’s why it’s very difficult to keep the same pace every lap,” he said.

He also described a contrast with Yamaha teammate Fabio Quartararo, who can brake later and stop the bike more effectively. Razgatlioglu said Quartararo’s years of experience on the M1 helped him understand how to manage it. The rookie, meanwhile, said he locks the front tyre too often and loses ground. “If I feel better and can stop the bike at the right spot, I think I can improve my lap time a lot more,” he said.

Binder has faced a related challenge since Michelin introduced a more grippy rear tyre structure in 2024. The tyre’s behaviour made it harder for him to use his established braking technique on the KTM RC16, including moving the rear of the bike during braking. With the rear tyre pushing the motorcycle forward, riders need to keep it planted to slow down effectively; overworking the front can cost time.

The report links that adaptation problem to Binder’s exit after seven MotoGP seasons. His next move takes him back to WorldSBK, while Razgatlioglu is making the opposite transition into MotoGP. The Turkish rider’s current struggles may also be short-lived: Pirelli is due to replace Michelin as MotoGP’s sole tyre supplier in 2027, giving him hope that a change of rubber could better suit his strengths.