The 2026 MotoGP season commenced on January 29 with the traditional Sepang Shakedown test, a three-day event running through January 31 in Malaysia. This initial on-track activity allows factory test riders, select rookies including Diogo Moreira and Toprak Razgatlioglu, and some Yamaha race riders like Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, and Jack Miller to preview and fine-tune the latest MotoGP machines, notably Yamaha’s new V4 model, ahead of the full Official Sepang test scheduled for February 3 to 5.
The Shakedown sessions occur daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., though without full official timing systems. Limited live timing data has been shared to track rider progress during testing.
Aleix Espargaro Leads Early Timing Sheets
Throughout the first day, HRC test rider Aleix Espargaro demonstrated strong pace, posting the first lap under 1 minute 59 seconds, eventually setting a time of 1m 59.199s by 1 p.m. This performance placed Espargaro 1.2 seconds ahead of KTM’s Dani Pedrosa and ahead of Yamaha’s Augusto Fernandez, who was third fastest at that point.
Espargaro, now entering his 22nd professional season, is continuing to impress as Honda adapts to the new engine design freeze rules adopted this season. Despite Honda moving down to a C rating in the concessions ranking, they retain the ability to modify the RC213V’s engine until the season opener in Thailand.
Notable Riders and Machinery on Track
Pramac’s Toprak Razgatlioglu, the reigning World Superbike Champion, was prominently involved on the new Yamaha V4, being the only Yamaha race rider to have tested it in this Shakedown phase so far. Rookie rider Diogo Moreira, the reigning Moto2 champion and a rival to Razgatlioglu in the Rookie of the Year competition, also participated on day one.
KTM’s test roster included the return of Mika Kallio, contributing to a strong showing from the team, with teammates Pol Espargaro and Dani Pedrosa initially leading early timing intervals. Other riders on track during the day included Ducati’s Michele Pirro, Aprilia’s Lorenzo Savadori, and veterans such as Aleix Espargaro completing their first laps of the new season.
Track Conditions and Testing Interruptions
Testing on Thursday faced some disruptions, including red flags just after 11 a.m. to inspect Turn 9’s track surface for any fluids or debris. Espargaro had previously raised concerns about the track conditions being somewhat dirty, though it remains unclear if these were the cause of the stoppage. Such interruptions highlight the caution teams take during this preliminary testing phase as they assess both rider and machine performance under varying conditions.
Context of Sepang MotoGP Records and Existing Benchmarks
To gauge performance, existing official Sepang MotoGP records provide context: Francesco Bagnaia holds the best lap record with a 1m 56.337s lap set in 2024, while the fastest race lap was recorded by Alex Marquez at 1m 58.873s in 2023. These benchmarks remain a target for riders testing their 2026 machinery.
Further data from the 2025 Malaysian MotoGP offers comparative fastest race and qualifying laps by manufacturer, with Ducati, Honda, KTM, Yamaha, and Aprilia all represented. Notably, Augusto Fernandez’s times on the Yamaha V4 are slightly behind the leaders, reflecting the newness of the machinery in development.
Limited Participation and Upcoming Official Test
The Shakedown remains a smaller-scale test, with certain race riders opting out of early sessions to conserve tires and wait for improved conditions during the subsequent Official Sepang test. For instance, two riders, Jorge Martin of Aprilia and Fermin Aldeguer of Gresini Ducati, are absent due to injuries. The full grid, barring these exceptions, is expected to participate fully early next month, providing more comprehensive timing and telemetry data.
Significance of Shakedown Testing in Pre-Season Preparation
This initial Shakedown period is crucial for teams to introduce upgrades, validate reliability, and allow riders to reacquaint themselves with their bikes after the off-season. Aleix Espargaro’s early lead signals Honda’s intent to remain competitive despite regulatory changes. Meanwhile, Yamaha’s exposure of its new V4 and KTM’s visible progress set the stage for an intriguing development race before the season begins.
Testing at Sepang offers teams the opportunity to adapt to the latest MotoGP regulations, experiment with aerodynamic and engine configurations, and gather data that will influence setup choices ahead of the more official February tests and subsequent races.
