Alex Marquez Tops Sepang Test as Bezzecchi Closes In

Alex Marquez leads the final Sepang MotoGP test with strong Sprint pace, edging Marco Bezzecchi and Fabio Di Giannantonio as teams wrap up development ahead of Buriram and the 2026 season opener.

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As the sun dipped behind the grandstands at Sepang International Circuit, one name still sat at the top of the timing screens: Alex Marquez.

The Alex Marquez left Malaysia exactly how he arrived: fast, confident and firmly in control. Riding for BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP, last year’s Sepang Grand Prix winner backed up his form with the quickest overall time of the three-day test, edging out a late charge from Marco Bezzecchi.

Marquez wasn’t just quick over one lap either. His 10-lap Sprint simulation was the sharpest of the field, averaging in the low 1’58s before firing in a 1’56.402 to seal top spot. It was the kind of smooth, repeatable pace that screams race readiness rather than testing heroics.

Bezzecchi made sure it wasn’t comfortable.

Now leading the charge for Aprilia Racing, the Italian pushed hard on the final afternoon to finish second overall and top Aprilia. The Noale squad trialled fresh aero ideas throughout the test and, at a circuit that hasn’t always suited them, looked far more competitive than in previous seasons.

Completing the top three was Fabio Di Giannantonio for Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, quietly putting together a consistent programme that mixed performance runs with longer simulations.

Ducati still setting the benchmark

At Ducati Lenovo Team, both factory stars focused on evaluation rather than fireworks.

Marc Marquez sampled different aero configurations and shrugged off a harmless Turn 1 fall, while Francesco Bagnaia reported feeling more comfortable than during last year’s race weekend and even edged his teammate in a Sprint simulation. Even without chasing times, the pair stayed inside the top six: a quiet warning to the rest of the paddock.

Progress across the grid

Elsewhere, there were encouraging signs everywhere.

Honda HRC Castrol continued its steady rebuild, with Joan Mir ending fifth overall and positive about gains from the new RC213V, especially with the engine package now locked in.

Red Bull KTM Factory Racing also left satisfied, with Pedro Acosta and Maverick Viñales separated by just hundredths on the combined times as the RC16 showed improving balance and feedback.

For Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, simply getting consistent laps after earlier technical headaches counted as a small win as development of the latest YZR-M1 continues.

Three days of swingarms, aero wings, chassis swaps and endless data runs are now in the books.

Marquez leaves Sepang on top. Bezzecchi is right there. And with Buriram next, testing is about to turn into something far more serious.

Pre-season talk is almost over. Racing is getting close.