“Cuma Kayıptım Pazar Uçtum.. Bulega Ducati ile Gelirse Başarılı Olur.” Toprak Razgatlıoğlu Roportaji

Here is a detailed summary of the interview with Toprak Razgatlıoğlu regarding his recent race weekend:

Weekend Performance and Technical Adjustments

• Initial Struggles: Toprak described the start of the weekend as "incredibly bad," noting that he struggled with the bike's setup on Friday and Saturday, which led him to question his situation.
• The Breakthrough: On Sunday morning, the team made significant changes to the bike. Toprak emphasized that the "key" to his performance is the engine brake. Once the team adjusted the engine braking, he regained the ability to utilize the front tire effectively, which allowed him to ride at a much higher level.
• Race Pace: Despite the poor start, Toprak was pleased with his race pace, noting that he was consistently hitting competitive lap times in the middle of the race.

Race Challenges and Incidents

• Clutch Issues: A recurring problem throughout the weekend was the clutch, which felt inconsistent during every start. This prevented him from getting a good launch, forcing him to battle through the pack.
• Technical Glitch: During the race, the ride-height device (which lowers the rear of the bike) failed to disengage properly after a braking zone, causing him to lose about a second and forcing him to manually reset it.
• Battles and Tire Wear: Toprak spent several laps battling Fabio Quartararo to be the top-performing Yamaha rider. He noted that while he was faster, the effort of trying to overtake in areas where the bike lacked power caused him to push too hard, leading to excessive tire wear by the end of the race.
• Penalty: Although he finished the race, he was penalized for touching the green track limits on the final lap, which dropped him to 16th place. He expressed that he was not overly concerned with the specific position, as the team had already witnessed his potential.

Psychological and Professional Outlook

• Motivation: Toprak admitted that the lack of competitiveness has been psychologically taxing. He noted that when the bike is not performing, it is difficult to maintain the motivation to even perform simple tasks, such as celebrating with a wheelie.
• Comparison to 2018: He drew parallels to his 2018 season, where he also considered quitting due to poor results. He noted that it is much harder to struggle now, as he is a proven, winning rider who expects more from himself and the equipment.
• Future Expectations: Toprak remains committed to the Yamaha project, believing that the team is beginning to understand his specific riding style and needs. He is hopeful that starting the next race weekend in Balaton with a better base setup will allow him to maintain his competitive momentum.
• Pirelli Tires: He expressed optimism about the switch to Pirelli tires next season, believing they will suit his riding style better, though he cautioned that the bike itself must also improve to remain competitive.

Comments on Bulega

• Toprak commented on rumors regarding Bulega’s potential move to MotoGP, stating that he is confident in Bulega's ability to succeed, especially given his riding style and his experience with Ducati.