Toprak Razgatlioglu, a rising star in MotoGP, reflects on his Sepang test experience, sharing insights after following Pramac teammate Jack Miller. Despite falling short of his 1m 57s lap goal, the test provided valuable lessons.
Following Miller, who set a quick pace, Razgatlioglu gained insights into his strengths and weaknesses on the new V4 bike. On the final day, after a technical issue halted his Yamaha test, he set a best time of 1m 58.326s, just a fraction behind Miller's pace. However, he was 0.746s behind Alex Rins' top Yamaha and 1.924s from Alex Marquez's pace-setting Gresini Ducati.
Razgatlioglu highlighted his strong braking capabilities but struggled with long corners, where Miller excelled. He attributed much of his difficulty to mastering the rear Michelin tyre, which he found sensitive and challenging to manage.
Comparing it to Pirelli tyres in WorldSBK, he noted that Michelin's spin-resistant nature makes it harder to manage. He's adapting his riding style, emphasizing smooth acceleration due to the tyre's sensitivity. This contrasts with his Superbike experience, where he relied heavily on the rear tyre for sliding and acceleration.
An experiment with a higher handlebar position is underway, aiming to improve top speed and cornering. Razgatlioglu humorously referred to it as riding a 'touring bike', acknowledging the need to adjust his riding style to MotoGP's demands.
The final MotoGP test before his race debut, scheduled for Buriram on February 21-22, will be crucial for further adjustments and preparation.
