The first official MotoGP session of 2026 is in the books following the conclusion of the first day of pre-season testing at Sepang, which saw Marc Marquez set the fastest lap for the factory Ducati outfit.
Some grid members were able to get their first taste of the 2026 machinery last week, ahead of the first official test week at Sepang, a three-day shakedown event.
However, the headlines were dominated by the sensational activities taking place inside MotoGP rider market About 2027 time.
It turned out that Fabio Quatararo was moving from Yamaha to Honda.It was then announced George Martin leaves Aprilia To replace the Frenchman with Iwata.
Pedro Acosta’s anticipated addition of the Ducati switch was also revealed KTM may have pulled off a huge coup by signing Alex Marquez To replace the young Spaniard.
Despite the madness leading up to the pre-season test at Sepang, Mark Marquez After returning to the prototype machine, he still managed to outperform everyone else.
Picking up where he left off Is this the start of MotoGP title #8 for Marc Marquez? 🧐
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Marc Marquez sets the pace on day one of the MotoGP pre-season test in Sepang.
The session was opened by Yamaha In the spotlight. While Alex Rin Set the first speed, teammate Quatararo He suffered an early scare in a crash on lap five.
Thankfully, after a medical examination confirmed there were no fractures, the Frenchman returned to the track in the afternoon.
Adding to the drama in the Yamaha garage, Andrea Dovizioso While there was a problem with the new V4-powered M1 that forced him to stop at a turn Jack Miller It closes around nine o’clock before lunch.
As the track reached peak temperatures around midday, lap times began to dwindle. Marco Bezecchi He was the first to enter in 1:57.
However, the eclipse soon disappeared Alex MarquezHe posted a 1:57.487, which would remain the benchmark for most of the day.
Meanwhile, Marquez has been eagerly waiting for his return to the factory Ducati After injury, cycling in his 2025 title campaign ends the day with the fastest time, which is after the lunch break.
Teammate Francesco Bagnaia After holding P17 for most of the day, he increased his strength as he moved himself into the top three. When the checked flag fails, it closes the session with P7.
Results from the first day of the MotoGP 2026 Sepang test
| POSITION | RIDER | group | TIME/GAP | SESSION |
| 1 | Mark Marquez | Ducati | 1:57.018 | PM |
| 2 | Fabio D’Giantantonio | VR46 | +0.256 | PM |
| 3 | Maverick Vinales | Tech3 | +0.277 | PM |
| 4 | Alex Marquez | Gresini | +0.469 | M |
| 5 | Marco Bezecchi | Aprilia | +0.506 | PM |
| 6 | Luca Marini | Honda | +0.551 | PM |
| 7 | Joan Mir | Honda | +0.675 | PM |
| 8 | Francesco Bagnaia | Ducati | +0.702 | PM |
| 9 | Fabio Quatararo | Yamaha | +0.851 | PM |
| 10 | Franco Morbidelli | VR46 | +1.050 | PM |
| 11 | Johann Zarko | LCR | +1.122 | PM |
| 12 | Ine Bastianini | Tech3 | +1.143 | PM |
| 13 | Brad Binder | KTM | +1.176 | PM |
| 14 | Jack Miller | Pramak | +1.234 | M |
| 15 | Pedro Acosta | KTM | +1.295 | M |
| 16 | Alex Rin | Yamaha | +1.302 | M |
| 17 | No. Ogura | Tracking house | +1.595 | PM |
| 18 | Raul Fernandez | Tracking house | +1.641 | PM |
| 19 | Diogo Moreira | LCR | +1.664 | M |
| 20 | Toprak Razgatlioglu | Pramak | +1.673 | M |
| 21 | Lorenzo Savadori | Aprilia | +1.694 | M |
| 22 | Andrea Dovizioso | Yamaha | +3.663 | M |
| 23 | Augusto Fernandez | Yamaha | +4.036 | PM |
