Testing done, talking over. Ready? The revs rise as MotoGP readies for its first battle of 2026: Buriram, as we return to Thailand for our season-opener. After the tests that shaped recent weeks, the kilometres have been bagged ahead of the new season but one aim remains across the next 22 weekends of action: lifting the Tower of Champions and writing a piece of MotoGP history.
The champ is back – and this time he’s got company
Marc Marquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) putting it all on red was a gamble that paid off last year as he swept to the title with five rounds remaining, completing one of the most impressive comebacks in sporting history. A late injury blotted an almost faultless copybook in 2025 and Thailand is where that run of glory started. He’ll hope for a repeat of last year’s successes and to add to his tally of three Buriram wins.
Testing suggests he’s the rider to beat here once more – but there was another rider who looked ready to try and give him a run for his money: Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing).
The new fastest ever rider round Buriram and consistently quick throughout testing, the #72 is primed. And remember, this time last year it was his first ever GP on the RS-GP.
Meanwhile, in Sepang it was another of the #93’s familiar rivals on top: Alex Marquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP). He was also fast in the Buriram Test and impressed in the 2025 GP here – even before he’d had his stunning season of success culminating in the runner up spot. 12 months on, can he less hold on to the #93 but rather, take it to him?
Aprilia vs Ducati: deck stacked with contenders
Aprilia went on quite a run at the end of 2025, and even if it didn’t always go to plan, the pace was there – especially for Bezzecchi. Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) also took that stunning win in Australia AND rounded out the year on the podium. Across pre-season, the form has remained impressive from the factory. Bezzecchi is the fastest rider round Buriram and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse MotoGP Team) was second on Sunday in testing. He also had a stunning first weekend here this time last year. Jorge Martin (Aprilia Racing) was delighted with his return too, straight into the top ten and feeling more than just fit to race.
Meanwhile, Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team duo Franco Morbidelli and Fabio Di Giannantonio had plenty to say on the testing timesheets too, up near the sharp end both. Fermin Aldeguer (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) will be chomping at the bit to get back in action as he watches Michele Pirro take the reins of his machine this weekend.
Last but by no means least across the two factories, Francesco Bagnaia will be one to watch. For a two-time MotoGP champion, 2025 was a tough run. There were moments of poetry like his demolition job in Japan, but there were plenty of pain for the #63. He will not want 2026 to start the same, nor continue like that. In testing there were positive vibes and progress, so can he make his way back towards the very top?
Aiming for glory: Acosta and Viñales lead the orange charge
At KTM, Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) has enjoyed a more positive pre-season in comparison to years previous and hopes to be in the front battle this weekend. He was lead KTM on Sunday, but he’s still chasing a first MotoGP Grand Prix win. Can he kick off 2026 on the rostrum as a start? Teammate Brad Binder didn’t have the easiest time of things throughout testing but has serious form at Buriram so expect the South African to turn on his Sunday after burners too.
Another rider back from injury woes is Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech 3). Now working with three-time MotoGP World Champion Jorge Lorenzo to boot, the #12 was one of KTM’s leading lights throughout testing. He’s not chasing a first MotoGP win, but he is chasing one with a fourth different machine after winning with Suzuki, Yamaha AND Aprilia. His teammate, Enea Bastianini, has some magic to find but seem at a far better starting point in comparison to 2025 – will that be enough to get back to the pointy end of proceedings?
Momentum mode on: Honda’s comeback gathers pace
With a track record like that of HRC, we knew they wouldn’t be struggling for long – but Honda’s leaps forward in the off-season have been remarkable. Joan Mir (Honda HRC Castrol) and teammate Luca Marini both found improvements at both tests, and they’re expected to really start making some moves as the season starts, set to underline that form.
A Grand Prix winner last year, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) backed up Mir and Marini’s work in testing too – and he was the top Honda at Buriram in 2025. Now, he has Brazilian rookie Diogo Moreira on the other side of the box as the history-maker moves up to MotoGP. Brazil’s first ever World Champion in any Grand Prix class will want to make this weekend count ahead of his home race, gathering more information and making the most of the track time.
V4 POWER: Yamaha’s new era, Razgatlioglu set for Grand Prix debut
After years of inline four knowledge, Yamaha made the bold decision to switch to a V4 engine configuration for 2026 – even before the sweeping reg changes coming next season. That’s a show of intent, but with it have come some obstacles and challenges. The Buriram Test went smoother but questions remain: where will Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and teammate Alex Rins finish, how competitive will they be, can they make major gains in 2026? There’ll be a lot of ears on Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) too, as the Australian has some extensive V4 experience. They do remain in Rank D of concessions, with unlimited testing, but they’re also looking to find big steps as the season begins.
For Turkish rookie Toprak Razgatlioglu, it’s a double-edged challenge. Help the factory move forward at the same time as adapting to a whole new championship. The three-time WorldSBK Champion arrives with an impressive CV, a well-known character, and a huge following. No one would argue against his talent – and he’ll be chipping away across the season to start showing it off more and more.
Testing done, talking over. Even after pre-season, and the stunning Season Launch in Kuala Lumpur, there are thousands of questions yet to be answered. Luckily, it’s nearly time for lights out – so make sure to join us this weekend for the PT Grand Prix of Thailand!