Aleix Espargaro posted the fastest lap on the first day of the 2026 MotoGP Sepang Shakedown in Malaysia, clocking a 1:58.091. His time put him half a second ahead of all competitors, marking a significant pace on the opening day of testing. This lap was notably quicker than last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix race lap record of 1:58.873, established by Alex Marquez.
Top Riders and Team Performances Highlighted
Only Pol Espargaro, Aleix’s brother, managed to join the 1:58s bracket, while Dani Pedrosa placed his KTM machine comfortably within the top 10. Among Yamaha riders, Toprak Razgatlioglu ranked fifth overall and led the Yamaha contingent, although his best lap was 1.5 seconds behind Aleix Espargaro riding for HRC. Yamaha’s test riders, Augusto Fernandez and Andrea Dovizioso, were busy managing six bikes between them, but two of these machines did not record lap times.
Test Riders’ Extensive Participation and Lap Times
April’s test rider Lorenzo Savadori had an especially demanding opening day, testing four of the eight Aprilia bikes planned for the week. Meanwhile, Ducati’s presence was represented solely by test rider Michele Pirro, who achieved seventh-fastest lap time despite the absence of new rookies on Ducati’s roster this season. LCR Honda’s rookie Diogo Moreira rode two bikes and placed twelfth overall with his best lap.
Implications for the Season Ahead
The initial results from the 2026 MotoGP Sepang Shakedown demonstrate Aleix Espargaro’s strong early form and hint at a competitive season ahead. The variety of test riders actively involved across multiple manufacturers shows teams are focused on refining their machines before official races begin. This opening day sets an optimistic tone for teams and fans as preparations continue in Malaysia.
