- New unofficial test formats with a focus on 2027
- Tire changes from 2027 are already influencing development in 2026
- Injuries and contract issues are causing unrest in the paddock
Following the publication of the official test calendar for 2026, it is clear that although the coming season will still be run under the existing regulations, the course has already been set for 2027. In addition to new test formats, personnel issues are also influencing the picture in the premier class.
New test calendar with a view to the new era
MotoGP traditionally started the 2026 test year with the shakedown in Sepang at the end of January. This was followed by the established winter tests in Malaysia and Thailand. What is new, however, is the rest of the season.
The Monday tests after the races in Jerez and Barcelona remain unchanged and continue to serve as an opportunity to work with the current motorcycles and tires. From June onwards, however, the focus shifts significantly. The tests in Brno and Spielberg are no longer official test days, but have been declared tire tests for 2027. The reason for this is the upcoming change of the single tire manufacturer from Michelin to Pirelli.
Unofficial tests and increased secrecy
What exactly is meant by a so-called non-official test has not yet been communicated in detail. However, it is likely that these days will take place under significantly stricter conditions. It is conceivable that there will be no time publications, restricted media access, and generally higher secrecy.
Experts also assume that manufacturers could use these dates to test prototypes for the 2027 generation for the first time. This would mean that key technical concepts would be tested long before the official launch.
Injury concerns slow Jorge Martin
While development work is intensifying, not every rider is currently on the track as planned. Jorge Martin is missing the Sepang test due to two additional operations on his hand and shoulder. The Spaniard deliberately did not make the procedures public.
“We wanted not to create noise around my injury.”
According to his own statements, individual bones had not yet fully healed after the 2025 season. The decision to undergo further surgery was difficult, but necessary for his sporting future. The Aprilia rider is planning his return for the test in Buriram and is generally satisfied with the development status of the RS GP.
Contract issues surrounding Marc Marquez remain unresolved
Off the track, too, the future of individual top riders is a topic of discussion. The contract extension between Marc Marquez and Ducati is still pending. Speculation about a possible one-year contract is circulating in the paddock, but has been played down by both sides.
Marquez recently emphasized that a long-term collaboration would make more sense, while Ducati speaks of details being discussed in ongoing talks. It is clear that an agreement would be seen as a possible starting signal for further movements on the transfer market.
2026 season as a transition year
Overall, it is becoming apparent that 2026 will be a transitional season in terms of both sport and technology. While the current generation of motorcycles is being further developed, extensive preparations for the new regulations are already underway in the background. Injuries, testing restrictions, and open contracts reinforce the impression of a year marked by upheaval.
What does this mean for me as a motorcyclist?
For motorcyclists, this development has mainly indirect effects. MotoGP’s early focus on 2027 shows how strongly technical rules, tires, and concepts shape the character of modern motorcycles. Even though production machines are not derived one-to-one from prototypes, experience gained from tire development, chassis work, and engine characteristics flows into road sports bikes in the long term. At the same time, the increased secrecy highlights how complex and cost-intensive modern motorcycle development has become. This reinforces the separation between racing and production, but also ensures that new technology usually arrives on the road more mature and reliable.
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