Bittersweet first MotoGP point for Toprak Razgatlioglu, Pramac “morale boost”
Toprak Razgatlioglu scored his first MotoGP point as the top Yamaha in COTA, but the M1 V4 deficit remains daunting.
Reigning WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu took his first MotoGP points with 15th place in Sunday’s US MotoGP.
The Turkish star also finished as the top Yamaha rider, overtaking a fading Fabio Quartararo in the closing laps as the four M1s finished at the back of the field.
Razgatlioglu took the chequered flag 25 seconds behind Aprilia race winner Marco Bezzecchi.
“My first point, this is good, but generally I'm not happy because we are 25 seconds behind,” Razgatlioglu said.
“I like this circuit, I'm really enjoying it when I'm riding, but it's very difficult for the riders, especially 20 laps.
“But anyway, I'm pushing really hard like always, and finally I get the first point in MotoGP.
“I'm happy for this, but generally I'm always focused on a much better result.
“I learned a lot because today I followed Fabio for many laps, and in the end, I just tried to pass him and take my rhythm.
“Finally, I've finished 15th and one point in the championship, this is the positive thing, but we need to learn and improve more for the European races.”
Team director Gino Borsoi called the team’s first M1 V4 point a morale boost after a difficult start.
“Of course, our ambitions are higher than this, but we all needed a bit of a morale boost and we‘re very happy for Toprak to have scored the first of what we hope will be many MotoGP points in his career,” Borsoi said.
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