- Aleix Espargaro sets fastest time on first day of shakedown with 1:58.091 minutes
- Ducati tests significantly revised aerodynamics for the first time
- Nine riders take to the track in tropical conditions
After the winter break, MotoGP is back on track. The three-day shakedown test, traditionally reserved for test riders, rookies, and manufacturers with concessions, began at the Sepang International Circuit. With temperatures around 32 degrees Celsius and high humidity, a total of nine riders took to the track on Thursday.
Honda makes an early statement
Honda test rider Aleix Espargaro dominated the action on the first day. The Spaniard completed the course in 1:58.091 minutes, a good half a second faster than his brother Pol Espargaro, who was riding for KTM. It was noticeable that Aleix Espargaro went in for fast laps early on and didn’t just do the groundwork. Compared to the first day of shakedown testing last year, Honda improved by around 1.6 seconds.
KTM strongly represented with three test riders
KTM arrived in Sepang with an unusually large contingent. In addition to Pol Espargaro, Dani Pedrosa and Mika Kallio were also in action. Pedrosa finished the day in third place, just over a second behind. Kallio mainly collected data and remained well behind the fastest times. Pol Espargaro crashed in turn one in the early afternoon, but was uninjured and able to continue training.
Rookies gather first impressions
The first appearance of the two MotoGP rookies was eagerly awaited. Toprak Razgatlioglu impressed right away and set the fourth fastest time. The Turkish rider was the fastest Yamaha rider, even though he was riding without a rear wing and with older front aerodynamics. Diogo Moreira finished eighth, just under three seconds behind the leader. For both riders, the focus was clearly on getting to know the MotoGP machines and the track.
Ducati tests new fairing
Ducati attracted a lot of attention. Test rider Michele Pirro presented new aerodynamics for the first time in the afternoon. Noticeable features included significantly larger front winglets and modified side air intakes. It remains to be seen whether this solution will be homologated in time for the start of the season. Pirro finished the day in sixth place, just under 1.7 seconds behind the fastest time.
Yamaha focuses on testing
Yamaha used the shakedown primarily for development work on the new V4 project. Test rider Augusto Fernandez was in action all day and finished fifth. Regular riders Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, and Jack Miller deliberately opted not to ride in order to save energy and testing resources for the coming days.
Incidents and general conditions
The first day of testing was not entirely without interruptions. Two short red flag periods interrupted proceedings, partly due to possible debris in turn one. Despite the heat, the afternoon rain that is usually seen in Sepang failed to materialize, allowing testing to continue uninterrupted until 6 p.m. local time.
MotoGP Shakedown Sepang 2026 results – Day 1
- Aleix Espargaro – Honda – 1:58.091
- Pol Espargaro – KTM – +0.524 s
- Dani Pedrosa – KTM – +1.052 s
- Toprak Razgatlioglu – Pramac Yamaha – +1.556 s
- Augusto Fernandez – Yamaha – +1.667 s
- Michele Pirro – Ducati – +1.712 s
- Lorenzo Savadori – Aprilia – +2.212 s
- Diogo Moreira – LCR Honda – +2.803 s
- Mika Kallio – KTM – +5.112 s
Further shakedown sessions are scheduled for the next two days, before the official MotoGP tests in Sepang begin in early February. Only then will the regular riders from all manufacturers be fully involved in the action.
What does this mean for me as a MotoGP fan?
The first day of shakedown does not yet provide any reliable indications of the balance of power for the 2026 season, but it does reveal some initial trends. Honda appears well prepared after the winter and seems to be competitive, at least over a single lap. KTM confirms its stable technical base with several riders in the top ranks. Ducati’s new aerodynamics signal that development work is already well underway, even if the final assessment will only be possible during the official tests. For Yamaha and the rookies, the focus is clearly on the groundwork, with Toprak Razgatlioglu in particular showing early adaptability. Overall, the start of the season points to a season in which development progress and attention to detail are likely to play a central role once again.
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