The last day of the 2026 MotoGP pre-season testing unfolded on Sunday at the Buriram International Circuit in Thailand, setting the stage for the upcoming season opener. The focus was on race simulations and time trials as riders and teams evaluated their progress ahead of the official start in a few days. The day’s schedule featured two sessions: the first from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and the second from 1:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., slightly adjusted from the previous day to maximize track conditions.
Throughout the day, Aprilia riders stood out prominently, while reigning champion Marc Marquez’s testing was hampered by health issues, culminating in a crash that ended his participation early.
Aprilia Riders Lead the Final Standings
Marco Bezzecchi and Ai Ogura secured top honors by posting the quickest combined times, delivering an impressive performance that underscored Aprilia’s strong position heading into the season. Bezzecchi completed a particularly noteworthy 20-lap race simulation, nearly matching the pace of Marquez’s Sprint race winning time from last year, demonstrating excellent consistency over a distance almost equivalent to a full Grand Prix.
Ogura, meanwhile, recorded the fastest average lap time during the Sprint simulation, signaling Aprilia’s serious competitiveness in both short and extended race formats.
“All the Aprilias look strong, not just Bezzecchi,”
confirmed Marc Marquez, reflecting on the manufacturer’s collective pace during testing.
Marc Marquez, despite qualifying third overall thanks to a strong Session 1 lap, struggled throughout the day owing to sickness. His day ended prematurely after a fall during his race simulation, marking his third crash of the test. While he visited the medical center, he gave a thumbs-up on departure but conceded that his pre-season activities were over.
Alex Marquez, who had opened the day as the pace-setter, also crashed during his race simulation, cutting his testing short. Both riders’ setbacks shifted the spotlight firmly onto the Aprilia contingent and other competitors ready to challenge in 2026.
Progress of the Day’s Sessions and Rider Performances
The first session of the day saw Ducati teammates Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia leading early timesheets, with Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi close behind. Gresini Ducati’s Alex Marquez also posted competitive times, putting him among the top riders in the 1m 28s bracket. Meanwhile, Pedro Acosta led KTM riders, Luca Marini was the fastest Honda pilot, and Fabio Quartararo topped the Yamaha category.
As the afternoon unfolded, the track conditions improved and riders ventured into race simulations. Bezzecchi’s consistent pace during a prolonged stint was a major highlight, while Ogura’s quick Sprint laps illustrated Aprilia’s capability to push the limits in shorter runs.
Details of Key Race Simulations on Day Two
- Ai Ogura (Aprilia) completed 12 laps with an average lap time of 1m 30.101s, the quickest Sprint simulation on day two.
- Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati) ran 13 laps with a 1m 30.276s average, noted as the fastest simulation set on day one but faced issues during his day two run.
- Alex Marquez (Ducati) reached 10 laps at a 1m 30.444s average before crashing on lap 11.
- Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia) completed a 20-lap simulation averaging 1m 30.454s, demonstrating strong pace over near full race distance.
- Jorge Martin (Aprilia) had a 12-lap average of 1m 30.497s.
- Pedro Acosta (KTM) ran a shorter 7-lap stint averaging 1m 30.516s.
- Raul Fernandez (Aprilia) completed 11 laps with an average of 1m 30.573s.
- Luca Marini (Honda) operated over 14 laps, averaging 1m 30.582s.
- Joan Mir (Honda) recorded a 10-lap average of 1m 30.624s.
- Fabio di Giannantonio (Ducati) reached 15 laps at an average of 1m 30.770s.
- Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) completed 10 laps with a 1m 30.953s average.
- Alex Rins (Yamaha) logged 12 laps averaging 1m 31.119s.
- Enea Bastianini (KTM) ran 19 laps with a 1m 31.494s average.
- Brad Binder (KTM) covered 22 laps with a 1m 31.590s average.
- Maverick Vinales (KTM) undertook two simulations, with averages of 1m 31.356s (8 laps) and 1m 32.047s (24 laps).
- Jack Miller (Yamaha) completed 20 laps averaging 1m 32.115s.
Significant Incidents During Testing
Marc Marquez’s health was a decisive factor during testing. Despite an encouraging start—including a 6-lap average of 1m 30.012s during his race simulation—his crash effectively ended his work at Buriram. His early pace hinted at the potential for a strong campaign, but physical wellbeing has limited his preparation.
Alex Marquez’s crash on lap 11 was another setback after a promising start to Session 2. Both Marquez brothers struggled with their respective conditions, contrasting the clear gains made by Aprilia’s riders.
Comparison to Previous Years’ Benchmarks at Buriram
By the end of the session, riders’ lap records and averages at Buriram reflected an intensely competitive field. Alex Marquez set the fastest time on Day 1 with a lap of 1m 29.262s, while Marc Marquez’s best test lap from 2025 remained quicker at 1m 28.855s. The official circuit record is held by Francesco Bagnaia, who clocked a 1m 28.700s in 2024.
Race lap performance continues to evolve, with Marc Marquez still holding the fastest race lap record of 1m 30.637s from the 2025 event.
In terms of maximum speeds recorded at Buriram during the 2025 season, KTM’s Pedro Acosta topped the charts with a peak of 341.7km/h during the Sprint. Aprilia’s Raul Fernandez matched that speed in qualifying, showcasing the rising competitiveness of multiple manufacturers.
Morning and Midday Sessions Show Progressive Improvements
Earlier on Sunday, session leaders fluctuated as riders adapted to track conditions and adjusted setups. Ducati teammates Bagnaia and Marc Marquez exchanged top positions during the late morning, but Aprilia’s Bezzecchi quickly reclaimed the lead by mid-morning with the test’s first sub-1m 29s lap.
Alex Marquez remained competitive throughout, consistently positioning himself near the front, but crashes later in the day curtailed his full testing program. Honda’s leading riders, including Luca Marini and Johann Zarco, showed solid pace but trailed the frontrunners.
Track Conditions and Their Impact on Testing Progress
The Buriram circuit saw a temporary red flag during Session 2 afternoon due to track surface conditions following early crashes, which briefly interrupted testing. This stoppage allowed teams to assess slick tire behavior and track grip, vital factors heading into the season opener.
Riders utilized this stoppage to recalibrate their machines and strategies for completing their Sprint and Grand Prix race simulations under conditions that mimic race day timings and intensities.
What This Means for the 2026 MotoGP Season Opener
The results at Buriram have set a clear tone for the season’s opening round. Aprilia’s strong showing across multiple riders suggests a significant challenge to Ducati’s traditional dominance, particularly with the likes of Bezzecchi and Ogura demonstrating race pace capable of matching or exceeding previous winning times.
Marc Marquez’s health-related setbacks introduce uncertainty to Ducati’s campaign but highlight his undeniable speed when fit. The Marquez brothers’ performances, combined with strong runs from Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo and KTM’s Pedro Acosta, hint at an intensely competitive field.
As teams head into final preparations for the Thai Grand Prix starting Friday, these test outcomes will inform race-day strategies and setup choices, with Aprilia’s gains especially under scrutiny by rivals.
