The 2026 MotoGP season kicks off with the customary three-day shakedown test at Sepang, running from Thursday through Saturday (January 29th to 31st). This initial session includes factory test riders, rookies from each team, and Yamaha’s race riders such as Diogo Moreira, Toprak Razgatlioglu, Fabio Quartararo, Alex Rins, and Jack Miller.
The shakedown provides the first glimpse of the latest factory MotoGP bikes, including Yamaha’s newly introduced V4 model, ahead of the official Sepang test scheduled for February 3rd to 5th. All teams and riders will participate in the official tests, except for Jorge Martin (Aprilia) and Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini Ducati), both sidelined due to injury.
Testing runs daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., but note that full Grand Prix and official test timing won’t be available during shakedown, although some limited live timing updates are provided.
Images from the initial day confirm that Razgatlioglu is riding Yamaha’s older “triplane” front wing rather than the newly unveiled design showcased at the recent Yamaha launch. Additionally, his V4 Yamaha currently features a “wingless” rear tail section, a modification aimed at understanding natural rear grip before adding aerodynamic wings.
By 2 p.m., only the Espargaro brothers have managed laps in the 58-second range, with Razgatlioglu placing fourth and leading the Yamaha riders ahead of test rider Augusto Fernandez. Many riders then took a lunch break. A second red flag was deployed at 2 p.m. to inspect track conditions at Turn 1, likely following Pol Espargaro’s crash, with Diogo Moreira also facing technical troubles.
The top times of the day show Aleix Espargaro leading with 1:58.091, followed by Paul Espargaro, Dani Pedrosa, and Toprak Razgatlioglu, among others. Official Sepang race lap records list Francesco Bagnaia’s best lap in 2024 at 1:56.337 and Alex Marquez’s fastest race lap in 2023 at 1:58.873.
Throughout the day, riders like Pol Espargaro and Aleix Espargaro battled closely, with multiple test riders actively contributing to KTM’s program. Razgatlioglu remains the sole Yamaha race rider on track with the new V4 model during the shakedown, although historically some race riders skip early testing to conserve tires and wait for track improvements.
Aleix Espargaro, now in his 22nd professional season, showed strong pace, seizing the top spot times by midday. Honda continues to refine its RC213V engine thanks to a concession upgrade, despite the ongoing engine freeze.
Earlier in the day, a red flag at 11 a.m. halted testing to assess Turn 9’s road condition after Aleix Espargaro raised concerns about dirt, although the exact cause—whether liquid or debris—was unclear. KTM confirmed a three-rider test effort with the return of Mika Kallio.
Alongside Razgatlioglu, riders like Michele Pirro (Ducati), Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia), and Aleix Espargaro (Honda) completed their initial laps of 2026. Diogo Moreira, the reigning Moto2 champion and rival to Razgatlioglu for Rookie of the Year, also participated, with his and Johann Zarco’s official team colors set to be announced soon.
Though lap counts and top speeds remain incomplete, the shakedown provides valuable insights into the new season’s machines and preparations. Official timings and comprehensive data will be shared during the upcoming official test.
Fan Take: This early testing period is crucial as it offers fans a first look at the technological developments and rider form ahead of the Grand Prix season. Watching Yamaha’s transition to the V4 and seeing how leading riders perform in real conditions could signal exciting shifts in competition and innovation for MotoGP in 2026.
