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Ducati sets the pace in Sepang MotoGP test
The final day of the official MotoGP test at Sepang revealed Ducati’s strong position ahead of the upcoming season. The team demonstrated a level of performance that left others striving to catch up. As preparations intensify for the 2026 racing season, Ducati’s results suggest an optimistic outlook, especially through the achievements of their skilled riders.
In contrast, Yamaha faced significant technical challenges, which hampered their testing efforts. These issues have raised concerns about their readiness as the racing season approaches. With Ducati establishing itself as a frontrunner, the competition must address their shortcomings quickly to remain relevant in the championship fight.
Ducati’s strong performance
Leading the charge was Alex Marquez from Gresini Ducati, who set the fastest lap of the entire testing session at 1m 56.402s, just shy of the lap record. His impressive time established a strong tone for Ducati, which occupied the top six spots by the end of the day. Notably, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Marc marquez followed closely behind, reinforcing the manufacturer’s dominance during the session. Di Giannantonio noted that they had achieved about 90 percent of their preseason objectives, indicating a well-prepared team.
Fast lap times and simulations
The optimism for Ducati continued as their riders excelled in the Spring simulations. Marc Marquez achieved an average lap time of 1m 58.027s over ten laps, demonstrating the consistency necessary for the upcoming races. In comparison, Pecco Bagnaia and Marquez also showed strong performances, completing their simulations with times of 1m 58.166s and 1m 58.289s, respectively. Notably, the only non-Ducati rider among the top ranks was Pedro Acosta from KTM, who finished over six tenths of a second behind Marquez. This indicates that while Ducati is currently in the lead, other teams are not far behind.
Challenges for Yamaha and others
In stark contrast to Ducati’s success, Yamaha faced significant challenges during the recent test sessions. A mechanical failure early in the week halted Fabio Quartararo‘s progress, prompting the team to exercise caution. They decided to keep their new V4 YZR-M1 off the track until they could resolve the underlying issues. This decision resulted in Yamaha not recording any laps on the second day of testing, raising concerns as the season approaches.
Other teams making strides
While Yamaha continues to face challenges, teams such as Aprilia and KTM are making notable progress. Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia achieved the second-fastest time on the final day, finishing just 0.12 seconds behind Marc Marquez. His impressive performance, along with Franco Morbidelli, who also ranked among the top contenders, indicates that Aprilia is emerging as a serious competitor this season. Additionally, Pedro Acosta acknowledged the advancements at KTM, stating that the motorcycle feels more intuitive compared to previous seasons, despite expressing a desire for further improvement.
Looking forward to the season
As teams prepare for the upcoming test in Buriram, insights gained from Sepang will prove invaluable. Ducati has clearly set the pace, raising questions about how Yamaha will address its ongoing technical challenges. Attention will also be directed towards whether Aprilia and KTM can successfully close the performance gap. The forthcoming races promise to be fiercely competitive, with each team’s performance during these tests playing a vital role in shaping their strategies.
The Sepang test has revealed the current state of MotoGP, with Ducati leading the charge while other manufacturers strive for improvement. With the season opener approaching, fans can anticipate an exciting year ahead.