The first day of the 2026 MotoGP pre-season test at Buriram International Circuit concluded with Alex Marquez topping the timesheets. Following a strong performance similar to his leading position at the Sepang test, Alex Marquez completed a best lap of 1:29.262, proving his consistency early in the preseason. This time was slightly slower than the 2025 Grand Prix of Thailand pole time set by his brother, Marc Marquez, by just half a second.
The test in Buriram remains a critical part of preparations for the upcoming MotoGP season, with teams and riders refining their setups and strategies on the Thai circuit.
Performance Highlights from Riders Across Sessions
In the morning, Francesco Bagnaia showed promising pace by topping the timing sheets, signaling strong potential for the upcoming season. However, Alex Marquez surged ahead in the afternoon, securing the fastest lap of the day. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez recovered to finish second overall despite difficulties during the morning session, where he crashed twice: initially on his first flying lap and then while trailing Maverick Viñales.
Jorge Martin made his debut as an Aprilia rider at Buriram, finishing second in the morning session. Nonetheless, his afternoon performance dropped significantly, placing him 13th by the end of the day. Yamaha riders continued facing challenges during the test, with Jack Miller leading their efforts by finishing 17th on the Pramac Racing M1, followed by factory teammates Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins struggling to find consistent pace.
Challenges for Marc Marquez Marked by Multiple Crashes
Marc Marquez’s two crashes in the morning session raised questions about his current form. The incidents included a high-speed crash at Turn 12, which was an unfortunate start to his day.
A fast crash at Turn 12 is not the way @marcmarquez93 would’ve wanted to start his morning stint 💥#BuriramTest ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/wgRlVXvrK6
– MotoGP™
These setbacks impacted his track time, yet he managed to rebound with improved lap times later in the day.
Overview of the First Day’s Results at Buriram
Alex Marquez’s strong pace establishes him as a leading contender early in the 2026 pre-season testing, while his brother Marc’s incidents highlight the unpredictable nature of development tests. Jorge Martin’s mixed results reflect the adjustment period with his new team, Aprilia, and Yamaha’s continued search for performance gains underscores the competitive challenges among manufacturers.
As the Buriram test progresses, riders and teams will look to capitalize on data gathered during these sessions to enhance bike setups ahead of the 2026 MotoGP season kickoff. The performances of riders like Alex Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia set important benchmarks, while upcoming days will be critical to observe how teams address challenges seen so far.
A fast crash at Turn 12 is not the way @marcmarquez93 would've wanted to start his morning stint 💥#BuriramTest ⏱️ pic.twitter.com/wgRlVXvrK6
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) February 21, 2026
