Cold start, wet track
The first MotoGP test of 2026 in Valencia did not start until later in the day. Overnight rain and low temperatures made the asphalt slippery, requiring the track to dry first. Cornerworkers spent a long time trying to get the lines clear. Over a thousand spectators eventually saw the first action.
Aero experiments and new Yamaha V4
Many teams used the test to try out new aero packages. Yamaha deployed the new V4-powered YZR-M1 widely; the new machines were available to all their riders. KTM and Aprilia tested striking, unique body panels, including large covers around the front wheel that partially cover caliper and disc and should improve airflow behind the underfork.
Raul Fernandez grabbed the fastest time of the day. Marco Bezzecchi was close with the Aprilia RS-GP's new frontwing and finished second. Alex Marquez tried different bodywork combinations and finished third, just 0.084 seconds behind Fernandez.
- Raul Fernandez - fastest of the test
- Marco Bezzecchi - second, with new front wing design
- Alex Marquez - third, experimented with bodywork
- Maverick Viñales - sixth, at 0.247 seconds
- Joan Mir - fastest Honda, 12th
- Toprak Razgatlıoğlu - seventeenth/eighteenth on his official MotoGP debut, 1.294 seconds behind
- Diogo Moreira - 21st, 1.824 seconds behind
Rookies and mileage eaters
The newcomers did exactly what they needed to do: turn laps and get used to the MotoGP machine. Toprak Razgatlıoğlu rode 53 laps, while Diogo Moreira made 57. Both riders focused on consistency and basic setup rather than ultimate lap times.
What does this test say ahead?
It is early in the season, but the focus is clearly on aerodynamics and integrating the new Yamaha V4. Teams are collecting data and trying out parts that can make a difference in upcoming races. The test in Valencia gave particular insight into development direction and how much work remains to be done before the real battle begins.
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