The final MotoGP test before the season opener at Buriram saw Aprilia take a commanding lead, demonstrating both raw speed and steady long-run consistency that positions them as serious contenders against Ducati. Marco Bezzecchi led the charge with a blistering 1:28.668 lap on Sunday at the Chang International Circuit, the fastest recorded lap of the two-day test. His performance secured the top overall time and highlighted Aprilia’s preparedness for the upcoming races.
Rookie Ai Ogura reinforced Aprilia’s strong showing by clinching second place, just a tenth of a second behind Bezzecchi, with a late session time attack. This one-two finish establishes the RS-GP as a formidable machine across various conditions and riders heading into the season.
Ducati Maintains Competitive Edge Amid Setbacks
Despite Aprilia’s dominance, Ducati riders remained central to the narrative in Buriram. Marc Marquez, riding for Ducati Lenovo Team, secured third overall with a 1:28.836 lap despite battling three crashes and a stomach illness that impaired his concentration throughout the test. His persistent race pace keeps him in the spotlight as a contender despite these setbacks.
Francesco Bagnaia completed the Ducati factory duo in fourth place, recording a 1:28.883 lap after a productive test that saw him improve corner entry significantly compared to last year. Alex Marquez finished fifth overall after leading the timing sheets on Day 1, showing consistent speed despite a fall during a race simulation.
The Ducati camp appeared unified on a single aero development path for 2026, with both factory riders satisfied with the technical direction ahead of race week.
KTM and Honda Show Promising Development in Challenging Conditions
KTM’s testing focus was clearly on aero, chassis, and tyre management in the intense Buriram heat. Pedro Acosta impressed by placing sixth overall, within three-tenths of Bezzecchi’s best time on the second day, and successfully completing a race simulation on the demanding circuit notorious for degrading tyres.
Brad Binder experienced a mixed weekend but posted a significant late-session improvement after making a major setup change, ultimately finishing 12th.
Honda’s pre-season test indicated positive progress compared to previous years. Joan Mir was the top Honda finisher, placing 10th on Day 2, less than half a second from the front. Mir’s feedback suggested that geometry adjustments rather than simple component swaps were key during the test, giving him confidence that more gains are possible before the first race.
Luca Marini, finishing 13th, echoed that the RC213V showed advancements in engine, aerodynamics, and braking, with smaller details now representing the main deficits. LCR rider Johann Zarco, finishing 14th after 157 laps and a race simulation, expressed optimism about a clearer bike setup direction. Rookie Diogo Moreira completed a similar amount of testing, emphasizing growing comfort and teamwork.
Yamaha’s Struggles Continue as Development Moves Forward
The Yamaha squad remains in development mode, with Buriram marking a transition from component tests toward meaningful setup adjustments. Fabio Quartararo placed 17th overall, dipping briefly into the 1:29s late in the test, while teammate Alex Rins was 20th, focusing on feedback and basic direction rather than outright speed.
Jack Miller produced the best Yamaha one-lap time of the test, finishing 16th and providing steady leadership within the Pramac team. Miller’s long-run evaluations suggested gradual improvement toward greater predictability, even though a clear performance gap persists compared to front-running teams.
Toprak Razgatlioglu’s debut MotoGP test concentrated on adapting to new tyre, aero, and braking demands, emphasizing race simulation efforts and developing confidence with handling front tyre loads.
Overall, Yamaha’s struggles with one-lap and race pace indicate they are still working through foundational challenges ahead of the season.
Insights from Other Teams and Riders at Buriram
Aprilia maximized the test by exploring different rear-aero configurations on both factory bikes. Jorge Martin, progressing in his return to full fitness, finished eighth overall, showcasing optimism and strong physical recovery as race week approaches. Raul Fernandez contributed to Aprilia’s strength by finishing 11th and taking part in aero and long-run work.
Morbidelli and Di Giannantonio, riding for Pertamina Enduro VR46, brought positive results with seventh and ninth places respectively, both progressively faster on Day 2. Morbidelli noted the Aprilia bike felt smoother, quicker, and stronger on the straights, improving by four tenths compared to last year’s lap times at Buriram. Di Giannantonio managed a full race simulation and showed bursts of speed despite earlier technical setbacks.
Tech3 riders Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini logged valuable laps focusing on consistency and improved handling. Viñales finished 15th and highlighted steady sprint-race performance, while Bastianini found a new chassis late in testing that felt more suitable, ending 18th overall.
End of Testing Signals Shift Toward Race Execution
The Buriram test encapsulated intense efforts from top teams and riders to optimize speed and reliability before the season starts. With the first race weekend scheduled at the same venue from February 27 to March 1, teams will move from experimentation toward precise execution under race pressure.
Aprilia’s strong pace and consistent long-run times have set a high bar and sent a message that they will challenge Ducati’s dominance immediately. The development strides from KTM, Honda, and other teams, alongside Yamaha’s ongoing project, suggest an unpredictable and competitive opening round.
As the paddock prepares for the official race weekend, questions linger about the stability of Marc Marquez’s shoulder, the race-day form of Pecco Bagnaia, and whether Aprilia’s momentum can translate into podium finishes. The Chang International Circuit will be a crucial battleground where these narratives begin to unfold under the intense spotlight of actual competition.
