Crew launches and pre-season testing schedule

Because the calendar turns to a brand new yr, MotoGP’s consideration shifts firmly to 2026, with groups getting ready to unveil their newest bikes forward of pre-season testing. 

It stays to be seen how aggressive producers shall be with their new designs, with a serious regulation change mandating a change to 850cc engines looming in 2027. Both means, it is going to be essential for every marque to start out the marketing campaign on the entrance foot, as they should change improvement sources in direction of 2027 sooner quite than later within the season.

The launch season is ready to get underway on 13 January, with Pramac showcasing its 2026 livery at an unbiased unveiling in Italy after holding a joint presentation with Yamaha final yr. VR46’s reveal will observe only a day later, and Valentino Rossi’s squad has promised a brand new livery for the upcoming season.

The primary manufacturing unit group to disclose its 2026 bike shall be Aprilia, which is anticipated to take the covers off the newest iteration of the RS-GP on 15 January in Milan.

Ducati has once more chosen the favored vacationer vacation spot of Madonna di Campiglio in northern Italy for its launch occasion on 19 January, whereas Yamaha will head to Jakarta on 21 January to disclose its first V4-powered MotoGP bike.

KTM will wait till 27 January earlier than revealing the upgraded RC16, whereas Honda is but to announce the date and site of its 2026 launch. The satellite tv for pc LCR group will unveil its 2026 livery on 1 February, however has not but shared the placement of its season launch. 

MotoGP 2026 group launches:

As is now the custom, the primary on-track working of 2026 shall be reserved completely for rookies and check riders from every producer. Toprak Razgatlioglu and Diogo Moreira, who step as much as MotoGP in 2026 after successful the titles within the World Superbike Championship and Moto2 respectively final yr, will take to the Sepang Worldwide Circuit on 29-31 January, together with every producer’s designated check riders.

The primary correct pre-season check will observe on the similar venue on 3-5 February and shall be open to all race riders. Ducati has but to substantiate whether or not reigning world champion Marc Marquez shall be match to participate within the Sepang check after present process surgical procedure on the precise shoulder he broke in a crash on the Indonesian Grand Prix in October.

The second-ever MotoGP season launch occasion will happen in Kuala Lumpur and run for 2 days from 6-7 February, following a profitable inaugural version held in Bangkok forward of the 2025 marketing campaign.

The ultimate pre-season check shall be held at Buriram on 21-22 February, only a week earlier than the season-opening Thai Grand Prix on 1 March. The timing of the Buriram check is critical, leaving groups with restricted alternative to introduce ultimate upgrades earlier than the primary race of the yr.

MotoGP 2026 testing

The 2026 MotoGP calendar includes a record-equalling 22 rounds, with the departure of the Argentina GP offset by the addition of a brand new race in Brazil. Goiania will host the Brazilian Grand Prix on 22 March following intensive renovations, marking MotoGP’s return to the nation for the primary time since 2004.

MotoGP 2026 calendar

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