Paulo Pavesio was on hand at Misano to discuss the recent signing of Toprak Razgatlioglu to Prima Pramac Racing.

The long-awaited news of Toprak Razgatlioglu switching to MotoGP was announced this week, as it was revealed he put pen to paper on a one-year deal with Yamaha.

Razgatlioglu and Yamaha have a history together, as in 2021, the duo won the World Superbike Championship.

At the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, the Yamaha Managing Director, Paolo Pavesio, held a press conference to discuss the new signing.

"We wanted to give Toprak this opportunity," Pavesio said on Friday at the Emilia-Romagna World Superbike Round.

"We believe in his qualities and we want there to be more and more internal cooperation in Yamaha between MotoGP, Superbike and beyond.

"In my opinion he deserved to show his talent, since we have seen him in the box for several years and we know what he is capable of doing."

Back in 2023, Razgatlioglu was allowed to test the Yamaha M1 at a private test at Jerez. However, the test did not go as expected, as neither party found it very successful.

Pavesio admits that Yamaha 'were not ready' for Razgatlioglu at the test, but made sure to keep a good relationship with the Turkish rider.

"That test we beyond expectations for Toprak and we were not ready," he explained.

"That said, we maintained a good relationship over time, even though he decided to go to another bike. Inside, however, I was aware that there would be another opportunity."

A lot of talk has surrounded expectations for Razagatlioglu's rookie year in MotoGP. But the Italian played down all expectations and wants to focus on the two-time World Superbike Champion's 'growth path'.

"It is unrealistic to think about winning," he stated.

"The most important thing is his growth path, aiming to take one step at a time and adapt faster and faster to the M1.

"He will not have to be in a hurry, that is the key thing."