MotoGP, Jerez LIVE Test 1: Crucial tests begin after a thrilling Spanish Grand Prix

On Monday, April 28, 2025, the Jerez-Angel Nieto circuit will host an official MotoGP test day, the first in-season test session, from 10:00 a.m. to 18:00 p.m. (sessions 10:00 a.m.-13:00 p.m., 13:20 p.m.-18:00 p.m.). After a Spanish Grand Prix marked by the victory of Alex Marquez, the podium of Fabio Quartararo, and the crashes of Marc Marquez, these 8 hours of testing are crucial to fine-tune the bikes before Le Mans. Here are the challenges and innovations expected from each manufacturer.

Barely the Spanish Grand Prix finished that the pilots MotoGP are already back on track. This Monday, the Jerez – Angel Nieto circuit will host a unique day of official testing, which could well mark a turning point in the 2025 season.

Eight hours of driving are on the program: from 10:00 a.m. to 13:00 p.m., then from 13:20 p.m. to 18:00 p.m. A rare opportunity for all teams to work on the technical innovations and major updates promised this year in the premier class.

The only downside is the lack of Franco Morbidelli. Victim of a big fall at the very end of the race on Sunday, the Italian is suffering from a serious cervical concussion and was forced to withdraw from this decisive day. Yamaha , the atmosphere remains euphoric despite the enormous performance of fabio quartararo, back on the podium and which finally gives hope to the M1 project.

KTM and Pedro Acosta under surveillance during this Jerez test

On the side of KTM, the dynamics are contrasted: Maverick Vinales comes out of two solid GPs, while Peter Acosta shows a darker face. The young Spanish prodigy did not hide the fact that this Jerez test is for him " the most important of the year ", hoping that KTM will be able to correct the vibrations and the lack of consistency which have frustrated him so much since the opening of the season.

Honda is moving forward in small steps, but is showing encouraging signs. Luca marini et Johann zarco both finished in the top 10 on Sunday, and Aleix Espargaró, hired as a wildcard test pilot, is a key part of the recovery plan. The goal: to finally resolve the chronic chattering problems that still limit the RC213V's performance.

Finally, all eyes are obviously on Ducati, imperial in Jerez with six bikes in the first six places of the Sprint. The updates made to the GP25 of Marc Marquez, Pecco Bagnaia et Fabio DiGiannantonio will be particularly scrutinized. Can the Desmosedici be made even more unbeatable?

Deprived for an indefinite period of George Martin after his terrible accident, Aprilia continues to rely on Marco Bezzecchi, Ai Ogura (eighth Sunday) and Lorenzo SavadoriThe Noale-based manufacturer hopes to accelerate its development to stay in the race despite this setback.

Aleix Espargaró is not on the program. Regarding his absence from the trials, Aleix was clear: " It's because Nakagami races at Le Mans, that's why they want him on the bike first ».

Johann zarco continued for the clan Honda : " I will try the new engine even if it is not the best circuit to test the behavior of an engine. We barely reach 300 km/h but we manage the skidding better, we are consistent from one round to the next, this allows us to get along with the others."

The Frenchman mentions: " Even though the performance improvement is limited, it is visible in the overall behavior of the bike. The new engine could give us a little more power, but Aleix's greater competitiveness in a straight line must be confirmed on other circuits because we also experience slippage which is another problem ».

Dani Pedrosa, KTM test rider , will also be on track today. He did not participate this year in the Spanish GP as a wild card as had happened in the two previous years.

To KTM, bastianini clarified: " We are currently developing a plan for the test. Vibrations are currently a limitation for us, KTM riders. If we can solve the problem, I think we can all take a big step forward. So this could be important ».

He revealed: “ We are testing a lot of ambitious projects. But sometimes it's the little things that make things go faster.We will test details. I'm sure I'll be happier afterward. » The Italian, currently 13th in the championship, concludes: " It will be a difficult job, we will try many approaches to solutions. It is also important not to lose self-confidence ».

Several drivers are already on the track, including Pecco Bagnaia The Turin native said that today he will try to find a solution for Saturday's sprint race, where he continues to struggle when overtaking.

Among others , Brad Binder, Marco Bezzecchi, Fabio Quartararo and Dani Pedrosa are already on the track. The first times of the morning: Binder ahead of everyone in 1'37.408, then Quarterly et Bezzecchi† 4st bagnaia.

Marc Marquez also took to the track , after finishing 12th yesterday with a Ducati dented after a fall on the third lap. The Cervera rider still won 4 points. At Honda, it's your turn by Taka Nakagami , after Espargaró's wild card in Jerez today, it's the Japanese's turn

Luca marini takes to the track. He climbs to third place with his Honda : the Italian driver (10th) was also the best HRC driver in yesterday's race

The return of Dani Pedrosa in the pits after the first runs

Brad Binder beats Marc Marquez : 1'37.055 must be beaten to take provisional first place in the time trial. Bezzecchi also improves and rises to 3rd position. Alex Marquez , fresh from his first career victory in the premier class, has not yet taken to the track.

Quarterly , back on the podium after a drought of more than 500 days, is the first driver to go under the 1:37 barrier: 1'36.971. And the Diablo tries to reduce his time even further. Quartararo lowers his time again: 1:36.496.

zarco moves up to fourth place, Aldeguer in the fifth. Acosta fall without gravity in sector 4. Brad Binder test the “mass-dumper”.

Ranking at 11:00 p.m.: 

Alex Marquez is now doing his first timed lap of the day, and he starts with a 1'38.428. But after his fourth lap he drops to second behind Quartararo.

On Sky Sports, Bonora explains the work at Aprilia : " This is an important test for us, with Bezzecchi we will focus on how to get the most out of the new tire and how to manage the new tire when the tank is full in the first part of the race. Then we will also work on aerodynamics and better braking management ». On the new swingarm : "We are looking for greater stability at the rear, always with the aim of maintaining a stable level of grip ».

Ogura climbs to fourth place thanks to his last lap. Aprilia is now the fastest with a time of 1'37"174, about half a tenth ahead of Bezzecchi.

Marc Marquez at the helm , this time he does it: 1'36.184 , 222 thousandths better than the “Diablo” of Yamaha.

Peter Acosta is finally back after his earlier crash and finds himself ninth. Aldeguer has just improved his time to 1'37.081 to move up to fifth place. He commented, reflecting on the Grand Prix this Sunday: " We beginners must be allowed to make mistakes in order to learn from them and be able to approach the next races stronger"

Johann zarco makes a big leap forward and takes provisional third position with his 1'36.767. This is half a second behind Marc Marquez for the pilot sling lcr.

Davide Tardozzi, director of the team Ducati , explains on Sky Sports the aim of the Lenovo team's tests in Jerez: " We will try to solve Pecco's problem , which prevents it from braking and entering corners as strongly as it did at the end of 2024. This is why we are going to modify the settings and balance of the motorcycle . With Marc, on the other hand, we are going to do something different, we have some evolving pieces to test.. » Concerning the new chassis : " It's different from the one we tested at Misano and then brought to Sepang. We'll see what it brings us."

Ranking at 12:00 p.m.: 

Yamaha considers engine upgrade with its 4 pilots. Honda seems on track with new engine specification , the same as the one used by Aleix Espargaró this week-end. zarco is the fastest HRC rider so far, third provisional time

Things were going rather calmly in Jerez, with 20 minutes left in the first session. Only a handful of drivers were at the start of the pit lane. The first half was marked at Jerez. We pass the baton for the second part of this test.

Ranking at 13:00 p.m.: