The engines roar and the times soar on the Sepang circuit! During the last day of testing, the MotoGP riders engaged in a true battle of times in sprint simulations. Unsurprisingly, it was a Ducati that shone, with Álex Márquez in top form, closely followed by his compatriots Pecco Bagnaia and Marc Márquez.
A Ballet of Ducatis at the Forefront
There is no mystery: Ducatis are among the fastest machines on the grid. This Thursday morning, the four riders with the factory model for 2026 dominated the top of the standings, but it was Álex Márquez who managed to stand out with a stunning time of 1’56″402. This time, worthy of the greatest, left little room for doubt about the competitiveness of the Italian brand.
However, it is important to remember that the times displayed during these tests should be taken with a grain of salt. Indeed, to give true meaning to these performances, it would be necessary to know crucial details such as the amount of fuel on board or the state of the tires, not to mention the various parts under evaluation. Qualification times can therefore be misleading. On the other hand, the pace observed during race simulations, where several riders compete under real conditions, is much more revealing.
Sprint Simulations Meet Expectations
To do this, the riders completed series of about ten laps, mimicking the duration of a sprint. Each meticulously noted their lap times, then compared them to the analysis files provided by the championship. The tension was palpable, as all eyes inevitably turned to the Ducatis. Álex Márquez, particularly comfortable on this circuit he loves, along with his teammates Marc Márquez and Pecco Bagnaia, all showed themselves to be very competitive.
Although number 73 was the fastest aboard his new GP26, his two rivals also displayed impressive paces. However, there are still many unknowns, particularly regarding the settings of their machines and the physical condition of Marc Márquez, which could influence his riding. One thing is certain: the first “race” of the 2026 season seems to have been won by the reigning world vice-champion.
Álex Márquez Too Fast at the Start!
Álex Márquez (Gresini Racing)
The Gresini rider started his simulation with flair, completing his best lap in 1’57″295. In total, he completed five laps in under 1’58, only falling into the 1’58 window at the very end of his series, averaging 1’58″127. In his remarks, he admits he may have been too ambitious at the start of the race: “I overdid it a bit, and then I made some mistakes. It was our first simulation of the year, and I think I made too many errors – small, but too many.”
He also notes that he widened several times in turn 1, indicating room for improvement. Nevertheless, he felt comfortable on his bike and ready to fight for the upcoming season.
A Loss of Time at the End for Bagnaia
Pecco Bagnaia (Ducati Team)
The reigning champion is not far behind, with a solid performance. The Turinese managed to string together five fast laps, recording a best time just 0″431 behind his compatriot. His average stands at 1’58″166, but he experienced a drop in pace in the final laps. “We decided to do the simulation at the most difficult time in terms of temperatures, to simulate the worst conditions,” he specified.
Bagnaia expresses satisfaction with his consistency, but remains aware of the improvements to be made: “I struggled to stay consistent with the front tire, and we are working to understand what I can do better.”
Marc Márquez Comfortable Over Time
Marc Márquez (Ducati Team)
Despite his third place, the nine-time world champion is not lagging behind. Although he only completed two laps in 1’57, he achieved a personal best time higher than Bagnaia’s and showed excellent tire management. His average rises to 1’58″289. “It wasn’t bad, but three tenths slower than Álex. It was a good sprint race simulation,” he commented.
His conclusion is positive: “I had a good pace and felt comfortable in the final laps.” This feeling of comfort could be a major asset for him in the upcoming season.
Toward a Ducati Domination?
Of course, these observations are just a glimpse of the performances on this circuit. However, the general trend suggests that the GP26 adapts perfectly to different riding styles and remains competitive both on a flying lap and during a long race. If this momentum continues on other circuits, Ducati could well establish itself as the undisputed reference this season.
In the meantime, fans can already expect a spectacle full of emotions during the upcoming races. The battle promises to be exciting with riders in top form and machines that promise to ignite the asphalt! To follow all the news of MotoGP, feel free to check out our dedicated section on MotoGP.
