Razgatlıoğlu’s MotoGP rookie season ends early as Yamaha confirms shoulder surgery

News Summary

• Toprak Razgatlıoğlu will miss the remaining five Grands Prix of 2026 after suffering a right shoulder injury at Mandalika.
• The three-time WorldSBK champion will undergo surgery in Milan on October 26, ruling him out of Phillip Island, Sepang, Qatar, Portugal and Valencia.
• Augusto Fernández will replace Razgatlıoğlu at Pramac Yamaha, beginning with the Australian Grand Prix on October 23–25.

Toprak Razgatlıoğlu’s first MotoGP season has come to a premature end after Pramac Yamaha confirmed that the Turkish rider requires surgery on his injured right shoulder, ruling him out of the final five rounds of the 2026 championship.

The three-time World Superbike champion underwent further medical examinations in Milan on Monday, October 19, following his crash during the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend at Mandalika. The assessments revealed that the injury was more serious than initially believed, prompting doctors to recommend an operation to ensure a full recovery.

Surgery has been scheduled for Monday, October 26, meaning Razgatlıoğlu will miss the Australian, Malaysian, Qatar, Portuguese and Valencian Grands Prix. Yamaha test rider Augusto Fernández will take over the No. 7 Pramac entry while the Turkish rider recovers.

The announcement is particularly disappointing for Razgatlıoğlu because he had been looking forward to competing at Phillip Island, a circuit where he previously enjoyed success in WorldSBK and which will host its final MotoGP race this weekend.

Razgatlıoğlu admits disappointment after injury ends season

Razgatlıoğlu suffered the injury in a highside crash during the second free-practice session at Mandalika.

The impact dislocated his right shoulder, which was put back into place shortly after the accident. Despite the pain, the Turkish rider attempted to continue his weekend, participating in qualifying and the sprint before retiring from Sunday’s Grand Prix after eight completed laps.

Initial examinations left open the possibility of returning for Phillip Island, but subsequent assessments established that surgery would be necessary.

“I’m extremely disappointed to miss the Australian Grand Prix,” Razgatlıoğlu said in Pramac’s official statement.

“Phillip Island is one of my favourite circuits and a place where I’ve enjoyed some very special moments during my Superbike career.”

The Yamaha rider explained that competing at the Australian circuit on a MotoGP motorcycle had been one of his personal objectives for the season.

“I was excited about the opportunity to race here on the MotoGP bike, which makes this situation even harder to accept.”

Razgatlıoğlu also acknowledged that the severity of the injury had surprised him.

“After further medical assessments following the crash in Mandalika, it became clear that my shoulder injury is worse than we first believed,” he explained.

The Turkish rider said the decision to undergo surgery had been made after discussions with doctors and those closest to him, with the objective of returning at full fitness.

Augusto Fernández replaces Razgatlıoğlu at Pramac

Pramac has confirmed that Augusto Fernández will step in for Razgatlıoğlu, beginning at Phillip Island.

The Spaniard is part of Yamaha’s MotoGP testing programme and has experience with the manufacturer’s V4-powered YZR-M1, making him a familiar choice for the team.

Pramac team director Gino Borsoi acknowledged that losing Razgatlıoğlu was a significant setback.

“We are very sorry for Toprak, as we know how much he wanted to race at Phillip Island and continue his journey with the YZR-M1,” Borsoi said.

“He has been working hard to adapt to MotoGP, and it is disappointing that this injury will prevent him from continuing that process over the coming races.”

Borsoi stressed that the rider’s recovery must take priority over the team’s sporting objectives.

“However, his health must come first, and we will support him throughout his recovery.”

Fernández will join Jack Miller in the Pramac garage for the Australian round, giving Yamaha an opportunity to continue gathering development information during the final stages of the season.

The Spaniard previously competed full-time in MotoGP with Tech3 and the RNF/Trackhouse organisation before moving into Yamaha’s test programme.

WorldSBK champion faces difficult end to first MotoGP campaign

Razgatlıoğlu arrived in MotoGP with considerable expectations after becoming one of the most successful riders in WorldSBK history.

The Turkish rider won three Superbike world championships and established himself as an exceptional competitor under braking, particularly during his championship-winning campaigns with Yamaha and BMW.

However, adapting to MotoGP has proved demanding.

The different characteristics of the tyres, aerodynamics, braking systems and prototype motorcycles have required substantial changes to his riding technique.

Pramac’s difficult season has also complicated his transition, with Yamaha continuing to develop its V4 project under the new technical regulations.

Razgatlıoğlu’s absence means he will miss the remaining opportunities to gain competitive experience before the championship introduces another major technical reset in 2027.

The Turkish rider has repeatedly emphasised the importance of building confidence with the motorcycle and adapting his riding style rather than focusing exclusively on immediate results.

His recovery will now take priority over further race mileage.

Razgatlıoğlu misses Phillip Island’s historic farewell

The timing of the injury is particularly unfortunate because MotoGP will race at Phillip Island for the final time on October 23–25 before the Australian Grand Prix moves to Adelaide.

Razgatlıoğlu will miss the opportunity to compete at one of the most distinctive circuits on the calendar, known for its high-speed corners and demanding tyre conditions.

As GRANDE PRÊMIO reported in its analysis of Phillip Island’s final records, the farewell weekend will bring together several important milestones in the circuit’s history.

The event will also feature a ceremonial reunion of Australian champions Casey Stoner, Mick Doohan and Wayne Gardner.

The three legends will participate in a farewell lap before Sunday’s Grand Prix.

Razgatlıoğlu wished Miller success at his home event, saying he would support his teammate and Pramac from a distance.

The Australian Grand Prix will also be missing Fermín Aldeguer, who has been ruled out after surgery on a fractured right hand.

Gresini confirmed Iker Lecuona as Aldeguer’s replacement, creating another change to the entry list.

Which MotoGP races will Razgatlıoğlu miss?