Raul Fernandez Leads 2026 MotoGP Era as Valencia Test Ends With Aprilia 1–2

Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) set the early benchmark for the 2026 MotoGP season after topping the Valencia Test with a 1:29.373, leading an Aprilia 1–2 alongside Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing).Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) completed the top three, with less than a tenth separating the trio during a crucial day of development at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo.

But the final day of 2025 testing wasn’t just about lap times. Yamaha debuted its long-awaited V4-powered M1, Honda rolled out its updated RC213V, and MotoGP welcomed new rookies—setting the stage for a transformative 2026 season.

Aprilia Lead the Charge Into 2026

Aprilia arrived with a striking new aerodynamic package, featuring redesigned front, side and rear elements. Bezzecchi tested a black-and-white livery RS-GP with significant updates over the 2025 machine, while 2024 World Champion Jorge Martin sampled the chassis Bezzecchi used in the final rounds. Martin also ran the new aero, finishing P16 after a productive day focused on rebuilding rhythm after an injury-hit year.

Trackhouse MotoGP rider Raul Fernandez ended the day on top, praising consistent progress even without new parts—those are expected at Sepang. Teammate Ai Ogura completed 64 laps, the most of any rider, finishing P11 and giving the American team a promising start to the new season.

Strong Day for Ducati as GP26 Development Begins

Ducati kicked off their 2026 project with solid gains. Double World Champion Francesco Bagnaia wrapped up the day P10 and reported improved front-end feel on the GP26 prototype despite a late crash.

Nicolo Bulega impressed with P8, finishing his temporary stint with the factory team on a high. But the fastest Ducati rider was Alex Marquez in P3, followed by teammate Fermin Aldeguer in P4—the BK8 Gresini pair logging 93 laps and delivering strong early feedback for the 2026 bike.

At VR46, Fabio Di Giannantonio finished seventh, while Celestino Vietti fulfilled his “dream come true” MotoGP debut by replacing the injured Franco Morbidelli.

KTM Debuts New Side Fairing, Acosta Quickest of the RC16 Riders

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing focused heavily on aerodynamic evolution, with Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder trying a new side fairing. Acosta clocked P5 with 53 laps, while Binder ended P9.

Tech3 riders Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini worked on a revised seat and ergonomic updates. Viñales finished P6, reporting a better overall feeling, while Bastianini placed P17 as he adapts to the new configuration.

Honda’s 2026 RC213V Shows Promise, Moreira Debuts

Honda’s updated 2026 RC213V—featuring a new engine, new rear unit, and reshaped aero—received positive feedback following strong early impressions at Sepang and Aragon. Joan Mir finished P12, just ahead of Johann Zarco (P13) and Luca Marini (P14).

Reigning Moto2 World Champion Diogo Moreira made his MotoGP debut, finishing P22 and gaining valuable experience aboard last season’s RC213V.

Yamaha’s New V4 M1 Breaks Cover as Toprak Impresses

Yamaha drew major attention with two headlines:

1. The public debut of three-time WorldSBK Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu, and
2. The first outing of the new V4-powered YZR-M1.

Toprak ended his maiden MotoGP day within 0.8s of Yamaha’s benchmark Fabio Quartararo and ahead of both Alex Rins and Jack Miller—an impressive start on a bike still not running at full power.

Quartararo finished 15th with a 1:29.927 and confirmed Yamaha is still searching for a base setting, with another private test scheduled for Wednesday. Rins also described the day as a positive one as Yamaha prepares further chassis and aero tests.

2025 Wraps Up, the 2026 Season Begins

With testing complete and early indicators emerging across the grid, MotoGP enters the winter break before the Sepang Shakedown and Official Tests in February. If Valencia was any indication, 2026 is shaping up to be a season of major technical leaps and tighter-than-ever competition.