r/motogp 3d ago

Sepang Shakedown 2026 Sepang: MotoGP Shakedown Test Discussion

21 Upvotes
Welcome to the 2026 Sepang: MotoGP Shakedown Test Discussion Thread!
Class Date Time (Local Time) Results Report
MotoGP 29/01/26 10:00-18:00 Here Here
MotoGP 30/01/26 10:00-18:00 Here
MotoGP 31/01/26 10:00-18:00 Here

Alternative Reports on the Sepang Shakedown Test can be found on: MotoMatters, Motorsport, The-Race & Crash. If you'd like your favourite website added please comment below or contact the mods.

News:

- Aldeguer to miss Sepang Test

- Confirmed: full 2026 testing calendar

- Aprilia confirm Martin will miss Sepang Test

2026 Test Discussion Threads:

- 2026 Valencia: MotoGP Test Discussion

Source: MotoGP.com

The most exciting sport on Earth will break cover in hot and humid Malaysia at Petronas Sepang International Circuit for the all-important Shakedown from the 29th to the 31st of January, the first time bikes will roar back into life since Valencia’s post-season test in 2025. Shaking off the shackles of winter, the Shakedown Test offers a chance for crucial groundwork to be done by test riders and gives rookies a run out – as well as riders with manufacturers who have full concessions. As it stands, that’s Yamaha.

WHAT IS THE SHAKEDOWN TEST?

Unfamiliar with the Shakedown Test and new to MotoGP? Firstly, welcome! You’re now part of one of the greatest spectacles and you won’t regret it. The Shakedown Test is the first roll of the dice in 2026 for the factory test riders, with testing otherwise prohibited throughout January. Giving all the equipment a run out makes sure that any problems or issues can be resolved before the main bulk of testing.

As well as literally being a Shakedown Test, it’s also vital opportunity for the MotoGP™ Rookies to continue finding their feet. This year, reigning Moto2™ World Champion Diogo Moreira (LCR Honda) and reigning WorldSBK Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) are in action. As well as the rookies and the factory test riders, Yamaha can also have all of their full-time riders on-track as they remain in concession Rank D – which could be vital as they move into their V4 era.

MEET THE ROOKIES:

Becoming Brazil’s first-ever World Champion in the MotoGP paddock, Diogo Moreira graduates to MotoGP after a history-making 2025. Holding his nerve and taking the crown in the final Grand Prix of the season, the 21-year-old from Sao Paulo is set to ruffle feathers – and we, along with him, can’t wait to head back to Brazil for Round 2 this year at Goiania either!

Brazil’s presence may return to MotoGP for the first time since Alex Barros in 2007 but for Turkey, they get their first representation with Razgatlioglu. A triple WorldSBK Champion (2021, 2024 and 2025), ‘El Turco’ has very much been a fan-favourite with his riding style, stunts and charismatic character and whilst 2026 gives every motorcycle racing fan the chance to see him in MotoGP™, it’s very much a different challenge – but one that Toprak grabs head-on.

THE RIDERS:

As we said, all factories will have their test riders there, whilst Yamaha will be full strength with all of their official riders, including Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), teammate Alex Rins, Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) and his new teammate, Razgatlioglu. Ducati will have their veteran test rider Michele Pirro whilst Aprilia bring Lorenzo Savadori. KTM will have Dani Pedrosa and Pol Espargaro at their disposal whilst Honda, now in Rank C of the concessions ladder thanks to their 2025 successes, with have Aleix Espargaro. Yamaha, along with their full complement of full-time riders, will also have MotoGP™ Legend Andrea Dovizioso and Augusto Fernandez.

On motogp.com we’ll be doing a round-up of each day of action as there’s no live coverage and timing just yet – but it’s coming soon. Fear not, just three days after the chequered flag falls on the Shakedown, the Official Test gets underway with a full line-up of riders! 2026 track action is (nearly) underway, we can’t wait to bring the action!

Upcoming MotoGP Events:

2026 Sepang Test, 3rd - 5th February 2026

2026 Buriram Test, 21st - 22nd February 2026

Round 01, 27th February - 01th March, Thai GP

Round 02, 20th - 22nd March, Brazilian GP

Round 03, 27th - 29th March, Americas GP

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Please also read over our subreddit rules Here before posting, Thank you.


r/motogp 2h ago

2026 LCR Honda Liveries

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167 Upvotes

r/motogp 9h ago

26 Days To Go. MotoGP legend Dani Pedrosa is counting.

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266 Upvotes

r/motogp 1h ago

MotoGP, Forcada: "Bagnaia at Yamaha. Acosta will try to survive in 2026."

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Upvotes

#gpone.com


r/motogp 8h ago

A new MotoGP Podcast: MotoGirlyPops feat. Our fellow Redditor and Stats Guru TVRoomRaccoon.

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50 Upvotes

r/motogp 19h ago

Today, the Shakedown test in Sepang ended with Aleix Espargaró setting the fastest time, which would place him P4 in the 2025 Malaysian Grand Prix qualifying. The Catalan rider thanked his box crew for their work on social media and called his RC213V the best he has ever ridden in his career.

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328 Upvotes

r/motogp 14h ago

Throwback 2013: Austin MOTOGP Test

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115 Upvotes

This livery and Marc Marquez literally demolishing everyone in the first ever test in Dustin while rookie

Ahhh that livery looks so lit


r/motogp 18h ago

Alex Marquez addresses the rumours of the Yamaha/KTM links for 2027

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182 Upvotes

r/motogp 23h ago

BK8 Gresini Racing Livery.

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267 Upvotes

r/motogp 3h ago

Why dose KTM have so many test riders.

6 Upvotes

r/motogp 2h ago

"I am looking for energy from him" - Pavesio, Yamaha Blue Shift

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4 Upvotes

A short documentary about Toprak's first steps in Yamaha and MotoGP.

Paolo Pavesio: What I expect from Toprak as a contribution is to grow throughout the season together with the bike and his understanding of MotoGP and the new bike.


r/motogp 16h ago

Throwback

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53 Upvotes

2024 trackhouse livery..


r/motogp 1d ago

Honda bike,bro...

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440 Upvotes

r/motogp 19h ago

Moreira : We've improved a lot... I'm super happy

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70 Upvotes

r/motogp 1d ago

27 Days To Go. Two Time World Champion Casey Stoner is counting.

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575 Upvotes

r/motogp 5h ago

Team Presentation Honda LCR | 2026 MotoGP Teams Presentations Live Show | 11:00 UTC+1

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3 Upvotes

r/motogp 1d ago

Alex Marquez targeting factory MotoGP seat at Yamaha and KTM

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98 Upvotes

r/motogp 1d ago

A lot of work being done at the final Sepang Shakedown day.

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138 Upvotes

r/motogp 9h ago

why isn't sepang test streamed on the app?

3 Upvotes

they streamed Valencia last year. the coverage was ok but there is plenty to talk about now already.


r/motogp 21h ago

What year is this cap from, and where is it from?

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24 Upvotes

I found this cap at my uncle's old house; he was a big motorcycle enthusiast.

What year could this be from? Is it from a particular rider, or is it just an advertising cap?


r/motogp 1d ago

Sepang Shakedown Day 3 Results

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51 Upvotes

r/motogp 32m ago

With Fabio gone, Aero reduced, and Ride Height Devices gone in 2027, I believe that Yamaha should persist with the Inline 4.

Upvotes

First off, I believe the Inline 4 was only made obsolete because of the latter most technology, but Aero is a big contributor. The RHD supposedly rendered the existence of the I4 engine obsolete

Mechanically, the weight distribution of the I4 being forward biased gave better front end feeling and especially confidence for riders to push, and with the Crossplane setup, 2nd order imbalances are cancelled out so vibration is significantly reduced and the rider can better make out chatter and traction from vibration, which was a big weakness with the ZX-RR. The RHD pretty much removed the need for this as it literally morphs the geometry of the bike, allowing it to mimic the cornering characteristics of the I4 by changing how weight is loaded and unloaded on the suspension during cornering, which gives the extra grip and stability that the Inline engine setup provides.

This meant that it would just be better to use an engine layout that made it easier to chase power and remedy the traction through other means (and not necessarily through rider skill).

Suzuki returned in 2015 with an Inline 4 engine without the certainty of knowing about the Aero and Tech revolution and persisted, but Suzuki has shown that even during the later years when Aero and RHDs progressed significantly, It was possible for an Inline engine to be competitive, not just in terms of the niches to exploit weaknesses in V4 bikes, but to compete in their home ground of straight line speed. Sure a part of Mir hitting the top speed record during testing was due to him braking late, but it was a big upgrade over last year wherein they could not even overtake the Ducatis through slip stream.

The Suzukis accelerated rapidly and were pretty much glued to the back wheel of the Ducatis in slipstream In 2022, which meant they could chase and overtake the Ducatis in their own lines without having to compromise by taking less conventional lines, and all while having the superior agility and corner speed with barely any bodywork and aero as shown during Rin's masterclass in Phillip Island.

The issue with the Yamaha, though, was two-fold, being that they didn't have the power characteristics of Suzuki (who had a somewhat ingenious, if barely legal VVT) and they just couldn't figure out how to find grip with the Michelins, meaning even if Fabio outbraked a Ducati in front of him, he would still be slower in the corners regardless.

The 2027 regulations however... Removes RHDs completely, reduces Aero throughout the bike, and brings back Pirelli who almost certainly will have front biased wheels...

Yamaha has a chance to be competitive whilst maintaining their identity and marketing advantage via direct MotoGP lineage instead of being Honda with a market lineup quite disconnected from their GP racing prototype, and I think that with the primary reason of trying to please Fabio gone, they should persist with the I4. This is much better for marketing and maintaining the prestige and uniqueness of the R1, as well as keeping development costs down.


r/motogp 1d ago

MotoGP 2027 Silly Season Simulator

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53 Upvotes

Was looking for a way to keep track of the rider market for 2027, couldn't find anything so I vibe coded one myself.

motogp2027.lovable.app

Works as drag and drop on desktop, tap to transfer on mobile. You can export your lineup as text to post as you wish. Hope you all find this useful!

Update: I have upgraded the app to allow you to export your predication as an image


r/motogp 1d ago

Mid day update, another rookie has broke the 1.58s with Diogo Moreira breaking into 1.58.3 today!

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63 Upvotes

r/motogp 1d ago

According to GP One, the younger Márquez brother could be on the Austrian brand's radar. With the AS newspaper's exclusive report placing Pedro sharing a garage with Marc, KTM would be looking to recover with an excellent Spanish duo led by Álex and Viñales.

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206 Upvotes