Trackhouse Aprilia Fernandez Tops 2026 MotoGP Valencia Test 

A late-season shakeup sees Aprilia, Ducati, KTM, Honda, and Yamaha push into the 2026 development cycle at the MotoGP Valencia Test.

Subscribe to our Instagram Channel for instant news & updates!

Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) ended the 2026 Valencia Test as the rider to beat after clocking a 1:29.373, a lap quick enough to place him at the top of the timesheets and lead an Aprilia 1-2. Joining him was Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing), who reinforced the Noale manufacturer’s strong winter position, while Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) completed the top three, all within a tenth of a second.

But beyond the headline lap times, the post-season test at Circuit Ricardo Tormo served as the first major development battleground for the 2026 MotoGP season, featuring new aero packages, first looks at next-generation prototypes, and the highly anticipated debut of Yamaha’s V4-powered M1.

Aprilia Racing & Trackhouse: Aero Revolution Begins

Aprilia rolled out sweeping aerodynamic upgrades, visible across the front, side, and rear of Bezzecchi’s RS-GP, a marked departure from the 2025 configuration. The Italian also sampled the evolution chassis used during late-season rounds.

2024 World Champion Jorge Martin tested Bezzecchi’s recent chassis and immediately reported positive feedback. Martin, P16 overall, also evaluated the new aero package as Aprilia gathers data for its next development phase.

Trackhouse rider Raul Fernandez, fastest of the day, focused on electronics work and base setup refinement, while MotoGP rookie Ai Ogura completed a massive 64 laps, the most of any rider, leaving the American team satisfied with their early progress.

Ducati: Early Work on the GP26 Shows Promise

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) placed P10 after 32 laps on the first GP26 prototype. Despite a late crash at Turn 2, Bagnaia praised improved front-end feel on corner entry, a key target for Ducati heading into 2026.

Nicolo Bulega, temporarily substituting in the factory team, impressed with P8 after briefly climbing into the top four. At Gresini, Alex Marquez and Fermin Aldeguer were crucial to the 2026 development programme, finishing P3 and P4 respectively with 93 combined laps.

VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio slotted into P7 but experienced a small technical issue. Meanwhile, Celestino Vietti, replacing the injured Franco Morbidelli, enjoyed an emotional MotoGP debut, completing 21 laps and calling it “the best day of my life.”

KTM: New Fairings and Ergonomic Refinements

KTM introduced fresh side fairings for both factory riders Pedro Acosta and Brad Binder. Acosta led the RC16 charge in P5 after 53 laps, while Binder wrapped up the day in P9.

At Tech3, Maverick Viñales and Enea Bastianini tested a new seat configuration aimed at improved ergonomics. Viñales, focusing heavily on aero work, finished an encouraging P6. Bastianini ended the test P17 as he continues adapting to the KTM layout.

Honda: First Full Rollout of the 2026 RC213V

Honda’s 2026 prototype was seen in full for the first time, featuring an all-new engine, redesigned seat unit, revised side fairings, and updated aero, following positive early feedback from test rider Aleix Espargaro.

Joan Mir led the Honda trio in P12, narrowly ahead of Johann Zarco (P13) and Luca Marini (P14), all showing early signs of progress. Moto2 Champion Diogo Moreira made his MotoGP debut, finishing P22 but impressing with his adaptation and steady improvement.

Yamaha: Toprak’s Debut and First Look at the V4 M1

Razgatlioglu exceeded expectations, finishing within 0.7s of Fabio Quartararo and beating both Alex Rins and teammate Jack Miller. Yamaha has yet to unleash full power from the new engine, with top-end speed still a focal point for development.

Quartararo finished P15 as Yamaha engineers continue searching for a baseline setup. Both factory and Pramac Yamaha will remain in Valencia for a private test to evaluate more aero and chassis components.

The Curtain Falls on 2025 and 2026 Begins

With the Valencia Test complete, MotoGP officially shifts into its winter break. The next chapter begins in February at the Sepang Shakedown and Official Tests, where teams will bring refined 2026 prototypes for the first major showdown of the year. The off-season may be short, but the 2026 work has only just begun.