Fabio Di Giannantonio is not holding back his frustration. The Italian rider is set to leave VR46 Ducati for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in 2027, but he feels the preparation for MotoGP's new era is far from equal. His main gripe: limited testing time before the season kicks off.
MotoGP 2027 brings massive changes. The 1,000cc engines will be replaced by 850cc units, ride height devices are banned, and Pirelli takes over from Michelin as the official tyre supplier. For riders switching manufacturers, like Fabio Di Giannantonio, this combination is a heavy challenge. He must adapt to a new bike, new team, and new tyres in a short span.
Unfortunately, the shakedown test at Sepang next February remains reserved for rookies and test riders only. This policy has drawn mixed reactions. Di Giannantonio is among the vocal critics. He believes non-rookie riders changing manufacturers should also get a chance to ride in the shakedown to level the playing field.
“For sure, what's happening is not a thing that I'm happy with, because for sure we will have just four days to understand the new bike – on my case, new team, new tires,” Di Giannantonio said about the Sepang Shakedown continuing to be reserved for rookies and test riders in 2027. “I know that Fabio Quartararo said, for example, for him it would be alright to have only four days on the bike. But honestly, I think you have to be really lucky that in four days you will find the perfect setup, perfect balance, perfect everything to be able to win the first race.”
The experience gap is glaring. At the post-race test in Brno before the summer break, only Pedro Acosta and the two factory Honda riders were allowed to ride the new bike despite moving manufacturers for 2027. Meanwhile, Marc Marquez already sampled the 850cc Ducati at Brno and will ride it again at the Red Bull Ring next Monday. Rookies like Nicolo Bulega are even more fortunate: besides his Pirelli experience from WorldSBK, he has been involved in Ducati's 850cc testing programme throughout 2026 and is eligible for the Sepang Shakedown.
For Di Giannantonio, the inequality is stark. Riders switching manufacturers—including himself, Quartararo, and others—will only get their hands on the 850cc bike with Pirelli tyres at the Valencia test in early December. That's just four official test days before the first race in early March. Compare that to Bulega's vast experience, or Marquez who has already tested the new machine twice.
“For sure, at the moment, Bulega is the guy with the most experience on the new bike. Now they will arrive more riders trying the new bike, so they will have some more advantages too,” Di Giannantonio continued. “But, on my side, for sure, I would like to have more time to be as ready as I can for the first race. So, at the moment, I think the things are not going equally.”
This statement highlights MotoGP's regulatory dilemma: on one hand, the shakedown is designed to give rookies and test riders room to learn; on the other, experienced riders changing brands are stuck in uncertainty. With only four official test days, finding the ideal setup is no easy feat. Moreover, track and tyre conditions can vary drastically. Di Giannantonio hopes for a policy change, or at least additional testing time, so all riders have equal footing heading into a tumultuous 2027 season.
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