Toprak Razgatlioglu rides special Yamaha R1 during MotoGP summer break

Three-time WorldSBK champion Toprak Razgatlioglu has shared photos of him riding a 2002 Yamaha R1, which was previously owned by his late father, Arif. 

Although Razgatlioglu won his maiden world title with Yamaha’s 2021 WorldSBK-spec YZF-R1, this particular machine is likely to be just as special to the current MotoGP star, as Razgatlioglu’s father played a huge role in supporting his son’s career before tragically passing away in 2017. 

Razgatlioglu, who is a genius at performing stunts on two wheels, learned many of these skills from his father, who was a well-known stunt rider himself. In fact, the pair once featured together on a Turkish talent show, where they displayed their stunt riding abilities. 

Razgatlioglu’s father passed away prior to the Turkish star winning any of his three Superbike World Championships, which include two titles with Yamaha and one with BMW.

But Razgatlioglu has spent the MotoGP summer break evoking some of his childhood memories, by riding his dad’s old 2002 Yamaha R1. The bike is finished in the iconic red and white livery that has been used in various special edition versions of the Yamaha R1, while similar paint schemes have also proved popular aboard Yamaha R6 and R7 machines over the years. 

Speaking on social media about this bike and what it means to him, Razgatlioglu said: 

“My childhood was spent on this motorcycle [and] it holds very precious and unforgettable memories and will always be kept as a memory in my father's memory.”

Razgatlioglu will be back in MotoGP action in just over a week when the series returns from its summer break at Silverstone. This will be Razgatlioglu’s first appearance at the British circuit since he competed in the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2014, having raced at Donington Park for many years since, as part of the WorldSBK championship and its support classes.

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