- Marc Marquez sets fastest time in his first MotoGP outing since October
- Fabio Quartararo abandons testing after crash and broken finger
- Ducati, KTM, and Aprilia showcase extensive development work
After the shakedown days, all MotoGP teams started their preparations for the 2026 season on Tuesday. Conditions at the Sepang International Circuit were stable and dry, with high temperatures. The focus was on new aerodynamic packages, chassis variants, and initial feedback from the riders after the winter break.
Marc Marquez makes a strong comeback on the Ducati GP26
Marc Marquez was back on a MotoGP bike for the first time since his crash in Indonesia in October. The Ducati factory rider stayed in the background for most of the day, but set the fastest time in the last 20 minutes. With a lap time of 1:57.018 minutes, he took the lead and finished the test day in first place.
His lead over Fabio Di Giannantonio was 0.256 seconds. Maverick Vinales followed another 0.021 seconds behind in third place. Marquez himself was cautious in his assessment of the time, pointing to short runs and fresh tires at the end of the day. The most important thing for him was to evaluate his own physical condition under race conditions.
Both riders in the Ducati factory team had two motorcycles at their disposal. While Francesco Bagnaia initially started with older aerodynamics, Marquez tested a more up-to-date package early on. New winglets and a revised ride height system were also used during the course of the day. According to the team, the focus was on improving stability when exiting corners.
Quartararo crashes and ends testing early
Fabio Quartararo caused the first major incident of the year in the morning. The Yamaha rider crashed in turn five and was then taken to the medical center for examination. Initially, the all-clear was given, and Quartararo resumed testing in the afternoon.
In the evening, however, the former world champion decided to skip the remaining test days. The reason for this is a broken finger and pain in his left arm. Quartararo explained that this decision made sense with a view to further preparation. He finished ninth in the day’s standings, around eight tenths of a second behind.
Yamaha tested the new V4 machine intensively in Sepang. Different chassis, swing arms, and aerodynamic variants were tested. The top speed comparison was striking, with the Yamaha lagging significantly behind on the straights. The factory riders also mentioned deficits in turning behavior. The Pramac team mainly relied on older aero components, while rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu’s bike had hardly any aerodynamic elements visible at the rear.
Ducati, Aprilia, and KTM with extensive development programs
Behind Ducati’s one-two finish, Aprilia was the third strongest manufacturer. Marco Bezzecchi ended the day in fifth place, around half a second behind the leaders. The Italian first compared the RS GP25 with the RS GP26 before testing new aerodynamic parts and a revised rear swing arm. Ergonomic adjustments were also on the agenda.
KTM placed one rider on the podium for the day with Vinales. The team focused primarily on solutions for tire wear over the race distance, one of last year’s weak points. Pedro Acosta concentrated on chassis comparisons and was satisfied with his initial impressions. Brad Binder is working with a new crew chief in 2026, which was also part of the test program.
Honda solid, crashes among the rookies
Honda performed particularly well in the top speed comparison. Luca Marini was the best Honda rider in sixth place, closely followed by Joan Mir in seventh. Both were just over half a second behind the fastest time.
In the rookie duel, Diogo Moreira narrowly beat Razgatlioglu. However, he was not flawless either and also crashed in turn five. Both rookies finished in 19th and 20th place.
Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team
MotoGP
Test Sepang 2026 (circuit Sepang)
29/01-7/02 2026
photo: PSP/Lukasz Swiderek
@photopsp_lukasz_swiderek
www.photopsp.com
Times and classification at the end of the day
Behind the top seven, Bagnaia, Quartararo, and Franco Morbidelli followed in the top 10. All five manufacturers were thus represented at least once in the top ten. The gaps were close, indicating a high level of performance at the start of the season preparations.
The Sepang test will continue over the coming days. Many teams have announced that they will now focus more on long runs and fine-tuning details.
What does this mean for MotoGP fans?
The first day of testing provides early indications without establishing a clear balance of power. Marc Marquez’s best time shows that he is still a force to be reckoned with despite his injury break, but this is put into perspective by short runs and different test programs. At the same time, it is clear that the field remains highly competitive, with several manufacturers performing well. Crashes such as Fabio Quartararo’s are a reminder that preparation is not just about lap times, but also about risk and stress management. Overall, the start in Sepang points to a season in which fluctuations in form, technical development, and fitness will once again play a central role.
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