The traditional Shakedown MotoGP three days, The Sepang circuit in Malaysia is now finished, and after two days of rest for all participants, the intensity of the Grand Prix season resumes.will step up a notch with the IRTA tests bringing together all the pilots officials for three days in the same place, from February 3 to 5: will Honda still take the prize?
The collective presentation in Kuala Lumpur will follow, then the final test in Thailand, but we are not there yet, so let's focus on Malaysia and its three sessions from 10am to 18pm (3am to 11am French time), each of which offered interesting elements.
Thursday is a day reserved for test drivers and rookies. Alex Espargaro (Test Team Honda HRC) proved to be the fastest in front of his brother Pol (KTM Test Team), in 1'58.091.
With the 2026 engines frozen, the performance wasn't ridiculous at all for a first day, since it would have placed him 18th on last year's grid: we're a long way from the pre-season Superbike tests, which are totally insignificant this year!
As a reminder, the circuit reference belongs to Francis Bagnaia since 2024, in 1'56.337.
Ducati has unveiled a brand new fairing on Michelle Pirro's Desmosedici.
Standings from the first day of the MotoGP Shakedown at Sepang:
On Friday, the official Yamaha riders took to the track, benefiting from the concessions granted to Group D.
WhileAndrea Dovizioso was trying out swingarm Mass Dampers,
Jack Miller finished the day at the top of the table, in 1'57.908and would have qualified 10th last year…
The improvement was minimal compared to the previous day, which was not the case for Espargaro Pol3rd on the first day by half a second, 2nd the next day by 25 thousandths!
A new swingarm has been observed on the KTMs, and probably an 850cc in the hands of Mika Kallio.
Standings from day two of the MotoGP Shakedown at Sepang:
This Saturday, the last day of the first round, the pace picked up a notch at the Espargaro brothers, since the elder brother, on his Honda, clocked a time of 1'57.173 ahead of his brother Pol on his KTM.
Admittedly, benefiting from a very rubbery asphalt surface after these three days, this time would have allowed Alex Espargaro to line up in 4th position on the starting grid of the last Grand Prix, while Honda's best representative last year was
Joan mir7th in 1'57.440!
A test driver faster than a factory driver: undeniably, the RCV 213V continues to progress, despite few visible modifications…
Just behind, at only 0,126 seconds, is the youngest of the Granollers siblings, Espargaro Pol in 1'57.299 on the KTM RC16.
There, despite its new swingarm, the progress of the Austro-Indian machine is less noticeable, since Pedro Acosta had achieved 1'57.363 last October.
A little further away, but at the heart of all media attention, Fabio Quartararo leads the Yamaha forces as usual, this time in 1'57.719 on the V4.
His qualifying time for the last GP on the "4 in line"?
1'57.195.
There is still work to be done, but Yamaha knew that and made no secret of it…
One might be surprised by the absence of Ducati and Aprilia at the front, but both in Borgo Panigale and in Noale, it was clearly stated that the shakedown would primarily serve to break in the bikes of all the riders involved.
Things will probably be different in 3 days, when track activity resumes…
Two minor falls nonetheless, nothing serious, for Michele Pirro today.
Regarding the rookies, it should be noted that Diogo Moreira finally finishes ahead Toprak RazgatliogluThis demonstrates a very rapid adaptation, but also undoubtedly reflects the current potential of both motorcycles…
The first statements will be coming soon… but we are already eager to see the IRTA trials begin next Tuesday!
Standings from day three of the MotoGP Shakedown at Sepang:
MotoGP shakedown Sepang Honda MotoGP shakedown Sepang Honda