Toprak to Honda

Reading in the X universe this morning that apparently Toprak to Honda WSBK for 26 and Honda MotoGP for 27.

 

Never to be seen at the front of the grid again.

 

Who knows for 27. No one knows really.

 

I’m not saying that I think this is untrue. However, isn’t that also what people said about going to BMW? And with the rules change for GP in 27, anything could happen.

 

Lecuona and Vierge can get the Honda to P6-12...same place the BMW was before he rode it to a championship.

 

Once Honda convinces Dorna they need superconcessions to be competitive in WSBK, Toprak will sign - at the least be a top 3 rider all year, maybe even win a chip if Bulega isn't crushing everyone and onto GP we go to hopefully just as Marc retires.

 

Already planning to pad his retirement fund. Dang.

 

Pretty sure that’s last year and this year with BMW - their Team manager was pretty funny when asked about top Brass approving the insane amounts he got last year for win bonuses - guess they budgeted 2-3 in a perfect world and at one point Toprak went on an 8 race win streak or something lol.

 

Not a bad move. Doesn't Honda have concessions in SBK? Toprak would be winning races on the Honda in SBK straight away, IMO. Why not take a factory seat in MotoGP? I don't think he'd have much to lose. If he couldn't keep a seat there or didn't get the job done, any number of teams would take him back in SBK. I think Honda will be competitive in GP again, just a matter of time.

 

So my buddy and I were talking about this whole scenario this morning and he brought up some very interesting points that I hadn't even considered -
1. Next year Toprak would be allowed to test the '27 Honda GP bike under the new rules package for a full year before everyone else is allowed to.
2. He'd be coming in with years under his belt on Pirellis right as Pirelli becomes the new supplier

2 massive advantages over the competition right away.

 

The tides have been shifting at Honda lately, they are investing quite a bit back into motorcycles again after a lull in recent years.

Not saying Toprak will/will not move to Honda, but if Honda really wants to do something, they do it.

At the risk of being a little too on the nose, it reminds me of the quote "I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant and fill him with a terrible resolve."

They'll move mountains when they want/need to.

 

When I hear 'superconcessions' I'm thinking 'the concessions vendor has IPA on tap?'

 

I really hope this is true.

 

As a toprak fan, but anti Honda fanboy, I'd be conflicted.


Until the start of his first race. I think he has insane talent. Would love to see him in GP, and if Honda can right their ship, I think he has the talent to make a real splash.

 

I dont see it successfully happening unless the Turkish government is pitching in cash. He'll be 30 with a larger build, and going against top tier Spanish phenoms. I think a few folks in here have been blinded by the field mediocrity of SBK recently.

 

With Aleix developing the ‘27 bike, Toprak should have a pretty good bike under him.

 

Honda is an interesting case right now. Zarco jumps on the thing and somehow runs top 5 on it straight away while their factory guys have advanced from 18th to 14th. How much has Escargo helped already and how much is Zarco? I do think Honda has the resources to get back to the front and Toprack can be competitive on a competitive bike in MotoGP. Will the planets align at the same time? Because it will take just that. Marc is an alien among aliens and the Honda tried to kill him keeping up with a field he's now straight up toying with on the Duc.

 

Don’t forget about ‘27 rule changes. That levels the playing field for the manufacturers

 

How ironic would it be in late 26 if the Honda reigns supreme again and MM gets beaten regularly on his Duc by Toprak in 27.

 

It would be highly ironic, but I wouldn't bet on it.