Ducati Sets Early Benchmark as MotoGP 2026 Pre Season Begins

MotoGP, Sportrik Media - The MotoGP 2026 pre season officially began this week with three days of testing at the Sepang International Circuit, offering the first clear reference points ahead of the final season under the 1000cc regulations.

With 2026 marking the last year of the current technical ruleset, anticipation has been high regarding how manufacturers would approach the development of their final bikes in this era. Ducati entered the winter as the benchmark after a dominant 2025 campaign, securing 17 grand prix victories and the world championship with Marc Marquez, who accounted for 11 of those wins.

Despite Ducati’s success, pressure had been building from Aprilia, particularly during the second half of last season. However, early indications from Sepang suggest Ducati has re established a performance advantage with its updated GP26.

The new Ducati topped the combined test times with Alex Marquez, while Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez both completed encouraging race simulations aboard the GP26. Feedback from the riders highlighted a more predictable front end and a wider operating window compared to the outgoing GP25, a key area of focus during winter development.

Aprilia once again appeared competitive, though with further refinement still required. The Italian manufacturer showed consistency across long runs but did not yet display the outright margin needed to challenge Ducati immediately. KTM also left Sepang with positive signs, delivering on its promise of a more aggressive development direction for the RC16. Both Pedro Acosta and Maverick Vinales offered optimistic feedback at the conclusion of the test.

Honda continued to show gradual progress, suggesting an upward trend compared to recent seasons, though the gap to Ducati remains significant. The Japanese manufacturer still faces considerable work to reach the front of the field under the current regulations.

In contrast, Yamaha endured a difficult Sepang test. An engine issue affecting its new V4 project forced the team to sit out the entirety of day two, while Fabio Quartararo was sidelined with a finger injury sustained on the opening day. The updated M1 also failed to show a clear step forward compared to last season, raising concerns ahead of the next test.

Beyond on track performance, the Sepang test was preceded by significant rider market speculation. Rumoured moves involving Quartararo, Jorge Martin, Acosta, Bagnaia, and Alex Marquez added an additional layer of intrigue to the opening phase of the pre season.

These themes were explored in depth on the latest edition of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, where host Dre Harrison was joined by Senior Journalist Lewis Duncan and Crash MotoGP Editor Peter McLaren to analyse each manufacturer’s Sepang performance and assess how early momentum could shape the 2026 season.

As teams now prepare for the final pre season test, the Sepang running has provided a clear early picture. Ducati enters the next phase as the reference, while rivals face critical development decisions if they are to close the gap before the season begins.