The Red Bull Ring, host of this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix, will extend its operations by an extra day to stage a Pirelli tyre test for MotoGP riders. This test marks the last for regular race riders before the 2027 season kicks off.
The 2026 MotoGP testing calendar for race riders included only two dates with the new Pirelli tyres, which will replace the current supplier in 2027. The first test was held on the Monday after the Czech Republic Grand Prix on 22 June, where Aprilia riders were rumoured to be fastest with a lap time under 1m54s, though no official results were released. Now, the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg hosts the second and final test before the first 2027 pre-season test in Valencia on 1 December.
Although the test is open to all MotoGP riders, race and test riders alike, manufacturers have chosen their participants based on contractual interests. KTM, for instance, has asked Pedro Acosta to test its 2027 bike, even though the Spaniard will race for Ducati next season. Meanwhile, Yamaha and Aprilia have closed the door on riders leaving at the end of the year, preventing them from trying their 850cc prototypes.
This decision affects several big names. Fabio Quartararo, who is moving to Honda, is not allowed to test the Yamaha. Similarly, Jorge Martin, who is joining Yamaha, Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio, who will ride for KTM, and Francesco Bagnaia, who will join Aprilia next year, will all miss the Pirelli test at the Red Bull Ring.
On the other hand, some riders who participated in the Brno test last June, such as Marc Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer (Ducati), Marco Bezzecchi and Raul Fernandez (Aprilia), Luca Marini and Joan Mir (Honda), Toprak Razgatlıoglu (Yamaha), and Pedro Acosta (KTM), will return. However, new faces will fill some slots, while Honda's factory riders, Mir and Marini, have not been invited, with Johann Zarco, Diogo Moreira, and test rider Takaaki Nakagami taking their places.
Ducati test rider Nicolo Bulega, initially scheduled to take part, has withdrawn after a heavy crash in a private test at Mugello last week. Bulega chose not to risk it, as next week in Cremona he has his first match point to become WorldSBK champion. This decision highlights the importance of that moment for his career.
This test also provides riders with an opportunity to give feedback before Pirelli officially replaces the current supplier in 2027. The data gathered will be invaluable for tyre development for the 2027 season, when bikes will use 850cc engines. With a different line-up from the previous test, the collected data will be even richer.
The 2026 MotoGP season still has several races left, but some teams are already focusing on next year's preparations. The test in Austria marks an important transition towards a new era with Pirelli, and fans can catch a glimpse of how riders adapt to the new tyres that will shape performance on track.
Baca Juga
Uji ban Pirelli terakhir untuk pembalap MotoGP 2026 digelar di Red Bull Ring, Austria. Simak daftar pembalap yang ikut dan yang absen.
Pedro Acosta kembali crash di warm-up MotoGP Austria, namun tetap finis ketiga. Ia berharap insiden ini jadi pertanda baik untuk balapan utama.
Warm up MotoGP Austria: Marco Bezzecchi tercepat, Marc Marquez kedua, Pedro Acosta kembali jatuh. Sesi penuh drama di Red Bull Ring.
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