The final MotoGP pre-season test concluded today, offering a crucial snapshot of rider and machine performance ahead of the season-opening Thai Grand Prix [[1]]. While factory teams continue to refine their setups, compelling results emerged from several non-factory riders, signaling a potentially competitive field [[3]]. This report details key takeaways from the test, including standout performances and early indications of the competitive landscape as teams prepare to transport their equipment to Buriram.
Bezzecchi Sets the Pace Among the Competition
Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia emerged as the top performer among the non-factory riders during testing, improving on his previous time to record a 1’57.026. This lap time currently places him fifth on the leaderboard. The competitive field also saw a strong showing from Raul Fernandez, piloting the Trackhouse Racing RS-GP26 to a seventh-place finish with a time of 1’57.245.
Further down the standings, the first KTM rider appeared in eighth position. Pedro Acosta clocked a 1’57.253, debuting a new swingarm for the team. Enea Bastianini on the RC16 also cracked the top ten, finishing just 37 thousandths of a second behind the young Spaniard.
Honda’s day got off to a slower start following Joan Mir’s leading performance 24 hours prior. Mir is currently around four-tenths of a second off the pace, holding ninth place with a time of 1’57.268. Luca Marini faced a more challenging morning, hampered by a technical issue on his RC213V that left him at the back of the pack.
Marco Bezzecchi, Aprilia Racing
Foto di: Dorna
