The 2026 Official Sepang MotoGP Test concluded on Thursday with Ducati emerging as the clear benchmark, following a strong final day of running at the Sepang International Circuit.
Alex Marquez led the combined Day 3 timesheets after setting the fastest lap of the test, a 1 minute 56.402 second effort on his Gresini Ducati. His performance placed him close to the circuit’s all-time record and underlined the competitiveness of Ducati’s latest GP26 machine. Marquez also showed consistent pace during longer runs, suggesting strong race potential for the upcoming season.
Ducati’s overall strength was further highlighted by its depth across the field. Five of the manufacturer’s bikes finished inside the top six, reflecting strong performance from both factory and satellite teams. This result reinforced Ducati’s position as the team to beat heading into 2026.
Aprilia provided the closest challenge on the final day, with Marco Bezzecchi securing second place after posting a 1 minute 56.526 second lap. The result marked an encouraging step forward for both Bezzecchi and the Italian manufacturer as they continue to refine their package.
Fabio Di Giannantonio continued his positive form by finishing third for VR46 Ducati. He was among the first riders to break into the 1 minute 56 second range on Thursday, confirming his strong progress since last season.
Marc Marquez recovered well after a minor early crash at Turn 1, going on to set the fourth-fastest time despite hotter track conditions later in the day. His performance reflected steady adaptation to Ducati machinery during testing.
Reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia ended the session in fifth, focusing mainly on race simulations and set-up work rather than outright speed. Franco Morbidelli followed closely in sixth on the VR46 Ducati, showing that the GP25 package remains competitive.
Yamaha returned to action after missing much of the previous day due to an engine-related investigation. Although the team completed valuable running, its riders remained outside the leading group. Alex Rins finished 12th as Yamaha continued to evaluate the reliability and performance of its new V4 engine.
KTM’s Pedro Acosta led the Austrian manufacturer’s effort in eighth place, continuing to impress with his rapid development. Joan Mir was Honda’s top performer in ninth, while Enea Bastianini completed the top 10 for Tech3 KTM.
Several newcomers also gained important experience during the final day. Toprak Razgatlioglu and Diogo Moreira focused on mileage and adaptation, finishing outside the top 15 but completing key development work for their respective teams.
With three days of intensive testing completed in Malaysia, teams now turn their attention to the final pre-season session in Buriram. The data gathered at Sepang will play a crucial role in shaping preparations for the opening round of the 2026 MotoGP season.
