ROUND
12
07.08.2022
Toprak ’ s MotoGP test
Reigning WorldSBK™ Champion Toprak Razgatioglu had his muchanticipated outing on a Yamaha M1 at Aragon in June . The 25-year old completed 40 laps in sweltering conditions in the morning with test rider Cal Crutchlow also present , before rain brought a premature close to affairs . Despite Yamaha ’ s preference to bring him to the MotoGP paddock , the Turk will stay in WorldSBK™ for another year in 2023 . Asked if he thinks Toprak has the talent to make it in MotoGP™ , Fabio Quartararo was unequivocal . “ For me he is an extremely talented rider . You can see on his riding style , how much he pushed the bike ,” said the Frenchman . “ I ’ ve seen also the save he did in Estoril on the last chicane . The way he ’ s riding the Yamaha on the limit , I think he has the potential to jump in MotoGP™ .
“ Of course , it ’ s a total different story than superbike . I think he knows from the test of Aragon that it ’ s a much more rigid bike , much more different to ride , but for sure if he ’ s in full motivation , and he can really be on MotoGP™ , I think he can be a really fast rider .”
Alex Marquez confirmed at Gresini Ducati , Rins moving toward LCR Honda
Alex Marquez has signed for Gresini Ducati for 2023 , opening the way for Alex Rins to take his place at LCR Honda . The former Moto2™ and Moto3™ World Champion will race a yearold Desmosedici GP22 – this year ’ s factory bikes – alongside Fabio Di Giannantonio , who extended his current deal with the team . “ I ’ m very excited to be starting this new adventure . It was crucial for me to change in order to recover the same type of motivation I had when I first joined this class ,” he said . While Rins had yet to sign the contract with LCR Honda on the Sunday after the race , he indicated the deal was all-but-decided . “ In the end I was managing the Ducati option - the Gresini option - or the LCR option ,” said the current Suzuki man . “ We were talking with Ducati and they did not give me an official bike . I was fighting for an official bike and Honda was able to give me that possibility . It ’ s a nice project . Right now the bike is not going so good in terms of results so let ’ s see if we can manage to make a good bike .”
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