MotoGP: The Sepang test starts tomorrow

New equipment, fresh faces and a return to action – the three-day Malaysian Test awaits. Here’s who, what, where we have in store.

We’re in the first month of the 2026 season and just a few weeks away from the inaugural Grand Prix, so it’s time to go testing. Preparation is the name of the game and following the first bike shot of the year at the Shakedown test, it’s time for the full grid – minus the two sidelined key names – to come out in force at the first official test of the year at the Petronas Sebang International circuit. The exam will be held from Tuesday to Thursday, inclusive, from 10:00 am (UTC +8) to 18:00 pm.

Line-up who’s on this week?

Every factory and team will have a full-time rider line-up… close. Unfortunately, Fermin Aldeguerre (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) was absent due to injury recovering from a broken leg, while 2024 World Champion Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) is recovering from his two surgeries since December. He was present at the test but backed out of the box, replaced on track by tester Lorenzo Savadori. As well as official riders, there will be two more but very well-known names on the track, MotoGP Legend Andrea Dovizioso and Augusto Fernandez Yamaha and the Iwata marque’s all-new V4 continue to be tested.

SHAKEDOWN RECAP, in case you missed it:

It was a lot. News from the Shakedown Challenge. Aleix Espargaro grabs the headlines for the fastest lap time for Honda – the fastest of their best bikes in Q2 of the 2025 Malaysian GP and the fastest ever MotoGP lap at the venue. With their progress only continuing to impress, there is much to look forward to in their season – and their 2027 project and riders.

Meanwhile, Yamaha seems to have made a good move with their development of the V-4 powered YZR-M1. At the end of the test, Fabio Quattararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) was just seconds off Q2 in 2025 – not bad for Yamaha for the first ever MotoGP V4.

Elsewhere, Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) managed to make big progress over the days. That said, the overall best rookie honor was Honda rookie Diogo Moreira (Pro Honda LCR), the Brazilian beating Turkey Day on Day 3.

Top Stories: Marc Marquez Returns, Racing Drivers Get Into Gear:

Having not been on a MotoGP bike since October, World Champion Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) will give us his first look after his Indonesia GP injury. After a long layoff, opening day could be more of a shakeup for him – but will we see him push on as the challenge continues? Team-mate Pecco Bagnaia will be one to watch as he looks to reset for 2026 after a tough season – can he come out swinging at the track where he holds the lap record?

Like Ducati, it’s time for Honda, Aprilia and KTM to meet their racers. While Yamaha, with a reduced grade of D, managed to score it all on the Shakda, the other factories had to wait for the official test – so now we’re looking forward to some more representative laptimes as they push further. Although Honda’s best effort from Alex Espargaro and the second fastest lap time by Pol Espargaro of Red Bull KTM Factory Racing didn’t quite hang…

How to follow: Don’t miss a story

MotoGP TimePass It will keep you updated throughout the three days of the trial with track updates on social media. We’ll also have midday briefings from the Sepang paddock with Lewis Suddaby and Jack Appleyard each day before the flag returns, both with Elliott York on-site and studio analysis from MotoGP HQ with Kiko Giles. Add reports, stories and interviews across all three days, bringing you up-to-date on everything MotoGP. 2026 is go! See you tomorrow for more from Sepang – Monday is already a headliner so don’t miss it.It has been confirmed that Marco Bezeci will stay with Aprilia Until the dominoes fall in the first silly season.

Post MotoGP: The Sepang test starts tomorrow It appeared at first Roadracing World Magazine | Motorcycle riding, racing and technology news.

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