Comprehensive Monday testing at Circuito de Jerez–Ángel Nieto reveals key developments across manufacturers
The post-race test at Circuito de Jerez – Ángel Nieto brought a full day of action and technical developments across the MotoGP paddock, with one familiar name returning to the top of the timesheets. Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo Team) led the way with an impressive 1:35.876, the only rider to dip into the 1:35s. Following him was Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3), who trailed by 0.361 seconds, while Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) rounded out the top three, just ahead of teammate Alex Rins. The new Yamaha engine updates, in particular, garnered significant attention.
Ducati Focuses on Front-End Feel and Development Items
Ducati used the Jerez test to spread new components across its factory and satellite teams. Marc Márquez, fresh off his Sunday crash, focused heavily on improving front-end feel—a planned objective even before the incident. Despite multiple garage stops and trying an older swingarm, Márquez found his rhythm in the afternoon and set the fastest time of the day.
Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was an early presence on track but spent a large part of the afternoon in the pits. His test centered around improving the balance of the GP25, a persistent challenge throughout the race weekend. Ultimately, Bagnaia didn’t chase a fast lap, ending the day 19th with a best time in the 1:37.4 range.
Among the satellite Ducati teams, the absence of Franco Morbidelli (Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team) due to a crash on Sunday left teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio with the responsibility of trialing new parts. Over at BK8 Gresini Racing, both Alex Márquez and Fermin Aldeguer focused on refining electronic settings and rear grip. Aldeguer concluded the day in eighth, with Márquez in 11th.
Yamaha’s Engine Upgrade Makes Headlines
Yamaha’s factory team brought an updated engine to Jerez, and the early signs were promising. Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins both tested the new spec, with Rins particularly enthusiastic about the performance gains, citing a 3 km/h increase in top speed. Quartararo was more cautious but still acknowledged the positives. In addition to the engine work, Quartararo tested a new seat aimed at improving rider ergonomics.
The improvements showed on the timesheets. During the afternoon session, Yamaha ran 1-2 before wrapping up around 15:30, eventually securing third and fourth overall. Team Manager Maio Meregalli confirmed the engine will be used at the upcoming Le Mans round, reinforcing Yamaha’s forward momentum.
In the Independent ranks, Jack Miller (Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP) reported steady progress but noted that track conditions—polished by three days of rubber—likely flattered the lap times. Test rider Augusto Fernandez rounded out a productive day for Yamaha with positive feedback of his own.
KTM Eyes Long-Term Gains
For KTM, the Jerez test served a dual purpose: fine-tuning the RC16 for immediate performance and laying groundwork for long-term development. Pedro Acosta (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was the day’s first crasher at Turn 10 but recovered quickly to finish fifth overall. Teammate Brad Binder started strong but didn’t improve in the afternoon and wrapped up his session early.
Maverick Viñales (Red Bull KTM Tech3) continued his impressive form, ending the day second overall. The team worked on refining power delivery and tried out aerodynamic updates, though wind conditions limited conclusive analysis. Enea Bastianini, still adapting to the KTM, focused on improving cornering performance—critical ahead of the team’s home race at Le Mans.
Aprilia Piles on the Laps and Refines Aerodynamics
Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) delivered a high-volume day, combining braking stability improvements in the morning with aerodynamic testing in the afternoon. He set the highest lap count of the day—47 in the second session, 99 overall—and ended up sixth. Aprilia’s continued focus on data collection remains a core part of their strategy.
Lorenzo Savadori faced a technical issue in the afternoon that limited his run to 68 laps, while at Trackhouse Racing, Raul Fernandez appeared to find a breakthrough. He finished ninth and completed 85 laps, a strong return after a difficult race weekend. Rookie Ai Ogura also showed solid improvement, racking up 88 laps and ending inside the top 12, reinforcing Aprilia’s depth on the day.
Honda Tests Swingarm Amid Steady but Unspectacular Progress
Honda’s test wasn’t groundbreaking but did offer the Japanese manufacturer more valuable data as they continue to search for solutions. New components, including a swingarm, were shared across the team garages, though lap times remained modest.
Joan Mir and Luca Marini (Repsol Honda Team) ran through their programs steadily without marked improvement in times. However, Johann Zarco (CASTROL Honda LCR) provided a bright spot, finishing third in the morning and sixth overall. His pace gave Honda something to build on.
Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) returned to action after dealing with arm pump during Sunday’s race. He only ran in the afternoon but managed 42 laps despite a crash at Turn 10. Takaaki Nakagami, substituting for Aleix Espargaro in the Honda HRC Test Team, took over testing duties and completed 68 laps, evaluating several bikes and configurations as the team looks for incremental gains.
Looking Ahead
The Jerez test wrapped up with plenty of developments across the board. While Márquez’s name on top wasn’t a surprise, the real storylines came from behind—Yamaha’s engine progress, Aprilia’s consistency, KTM’s future-focused work, and Honda’s patient rebuilding process. With Le Mans up next, several teams will be eager to turn Monday’s findings into Sunday results.
Official MotoGP Press Release
