MotoGP 2026 Official Sepang Test Gets Underway as Countdown to Opening Grand Prix Begins

Sepang: With the 2026 MotoGP season entering its first racing month and the opening Grand Prix just weeks away, preparations step up a gear as the Official Pre-Season Test gets underway at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit. Running from Tuesday to Thursday, the test will see bikes on track from 10:00 to 18:00 local time (UTC +8) as teams fine-tune their packages ahead of the season opener.

Following an eventful Shakedown Test, the Sepang Official Test marks the first full-scale on-track appearance of the MotoGP grid in 2026, with all manufacturers and teams present—albeit with a couple of notable absences due to injury.

Full Grid Assembles, with Key Absentees

Almost every team fields its full-time rider line-up this week. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) remains sidelined as he continues recovery from a broken leg, while 2024 World Champion Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) is also absent from on-track duties following two surgeries in December. Martin is present at Sepang supporting the team from the garage, with Lorenzo Savadori stepping in as Aprilia’s test rider.

Adding further interest, MotoGP legend Andrea Dovizioso and Augusto Fernandez continue Yamaha’s extensive testing programme, contributing to the development of the manufacturer’s all-new V4-powered project.

Shakedown Highlights Set the Tone

The Shakedown Test delivered several headline moments. Aleix Espargaro impressed by setting Honda’s fastest-ever MotoGP lap at Sepang, quicker than the brand’s best Q2 lap from the 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix—an encouraging sign of continued progress for the Japanese manufacturer.

Yamaha also left Malaysia with positive momentum. Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) ended the test just half a second shy of his 2025 Q2 lap time, a promising result for Yamaha’s first-ever MotoGP V4-powered YZR-M1.

Elsewhere, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) made steady gains across the three days, while Honda rookie Diogo Moreira (LCR Honda) emerged as the top-performing newcomer overall, edging out Razgatlioglu on the final day of running.

All Eyes on Marc Marquez’s Return

One of the most anticipated storylines of the Sepang Official Test is the return of reigning World Champion Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team), who has not ridden a MotoGP bike since October following his injury at the Indonesian Grand Prix. While the opening day may focus on reacclimatisation, attention will be firmly on whether Marquez begins to push as confidence builds.

Teammate Francesco “Pecco” Bagnaia will also be under the spotlight as he looks to reset for 2026 after a challenging campaign. Sepang could offer the ideal platform for a strong start, with Bagnaia holding the lap record at the Malaysian circuit.

For Honda, Aprilia, and KTM, the Official Test marks the first opportunity in 2026 to reunite with their race riders after concession limitations during the Shakedown. With representative lap times now expected, competition is likely to intensify, despite already impressive efforts from riders such as Aleix Espargaro and Pol Espargaro.

How to Follow the Action

Fans can follow every moment of the Sepang Official Test through MotoGP TimingPass, live updates across social media, and daily midday paddock reports from Sepang. Analysis shows, interviews, and post-session breakdowns will ensure fans stay fully up to date as the 2026 season gathers momentum.

With testing underway and major rider movements already emerging—Marco Bezzecchi confirmed to stay with Aprilia in the first major rider market development—the road to the 2026 MotoGP season is officially on.