Alex Marquez leads the way as Marc Marquez responds to two crashes
The first day of running at the Buriram Test delivered a familiar headline but an unpredictable script. When the chequered flag fell on Saturday at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand, it was Alex Marquez who sat on top of the timesheets with a 1:29.262. Just 0.129 seconds behind him was reigning World Champion Marc Marquez, who managed to salvage second place despite two trips through the gravel.
Behind the Marquez brothers, the battle for third was separated by the finest of margins. Franco Morbidelli snatched P3 late in the session, edging Marco Bezzecchi by just 0.011 seconds, with Johann Zarco only 0.005 further back. The gaps were tiny, the temperatures were high, and the picture ahead of the opening Grand Prix of the year remains far from settled.
Gresini, Ducati Lenovo and VR46: Fine Margins in Red and Blue
Alex Marquez continued the steady, methodical pre-season he has been building since Sepang. The 2025 runner-up spent much of the day comparing aerodynamic packages, working through different fairing and rear aero configurations. His fastest lap came late, once conditions stabilised, and confirmed that the Gresini Ducati remains a serious weapon heading into the season.
With Fermin Aldeguer sidelined through injury, test rider Michele Pirro stepped in on the other side of the garage. The Italian was over three seconds off Marquez’s benchmark but focused primarily on gathering data rather than chasing lap times. For Gresini, continuity and feedback appear to be the priority.
In the factory Ducati garage, the day was more dramatic. Marc Marquez’s headline time disguised a scrappier Saturday than many anticipated after his strong showing in Malaysia. The first crash came at the final corner, a high-speed tumble as he braked on the kerbing. Later, he slid off again at the same turn in a smaller incident. Both falls were relatively minor, and crucially he was unhurt.
What followed was vintage #93 resilience. Returning to the track, he pieced together a sequence of fast laps to climb to second overall, underlining both his pace and the Ducati’s potential.
Francesco Bagnaia, meanwhile, ended the day tenth. While the time wasn’t headline-grabbing, his demeanour suggested quiet confidence. Inside the Ducati Lenovo garage, the debate continues between 2024 and 2025 aero packages, as well as subtle variations within the latest design. With only one more test day remaining, decisions must soon be finalised.
At VR46, both riders showed encouraging form. Fabio Di Giannantonio hovered inside the top three for much of the afternoon before ultimately settling ninth. Morbidelli, however, timed his attack perfectly. In the final 20 minutes, he vaulted up the order to secure third, repeating the kind of late-session surge he displayed in Sepang. The Pertamina Enduro VR46 squad leave Day 1 with genuine reasons for optimism.
Aprilia’s Momentum Continues
Aprilia’s strong pre-season narrative rolled on in Thailand. Marco Bezzecchi finished fourth and once again looked comfortable on the RS-GP. Although he had a minor crash while returning to the pits, it was inconsequential.
Teammate Jorge Martin ended the day 13th but within four tenths of Bezzecchi despite riding at Buriram on the Aprilia for the first time. That gap, given the context, is significant. The pair tested updated rear aero first introduced at Sepang, alongside revised air duct solutions designed to better manage airflow around the rider’s legs — a detail that can influence both cooling and stability at high speed.
At Trackhouse, Raul Fernandez also had the latest aero spec fitted. The 2025 Australian Grand Prix winner mounted a late push that briefly placed him inside the top three before he settled into sixth. Ai Ogura, returning to the scene of his MotoGP debut, worked through back-to-back comparisons of rear aero packages. Although 15th on the day, his focus was clearly on understanding direction rather than extracting a single fast lap.
Honda: Signs of Real Progress
Honda’s upward trend continued, led by Johann Zarco. The Frenchman put together an impressive flying lap to claim fifth, just two tenths shy of P1. He admitted, however, that consistency remains an issue, with the bike’s behaviour shifting subtly from lap to lap as grip levels changed.
Joan Mir reinforced that progress with seventh place despite a technical issue limiting him to one bike for much of the day. Both Mir and Luca Marini have further aerodynamic items scheduled for evaluation on Sunday, signalling that Honda’s development push is far from complete.
At LCR, rookie Diogo Moreira endured a demanding day in oppressive heat. The Brazilian is still adapting to MotoGP machinery, highlighting fast corners as an area requiring study. He plans to analyse rivals’ lines overnight in search of gains.
KTM: Incremental Steps
KTM’s Saturday was steady rather than spectacular. Maverick Viñales led the orange charge in eighth, running the smaller aero configuration first seen in Sepang. Brad Binder described his day as positive, finishing 11th with the same package fitted.
Pedro Acosta delayed switching to the new aero until later in the afternoon and ended 14th, while Enea Bastianini concluded the day 16th. For KTM, the emphasis remains on refining balance and consistency before the lights go out for the first race weekend.
Yamaha: Still Searching for Direction
Yamaha’s transition phase continues. Jack Miller was the fastest of the Yamahas in 17th, just over a second from the top time. Ergonomic adjustments featured prominently in the Prima Pramac garage, with Toprak Razgatlioglu testing modified handlebars and seat units. Height constraints prevented the use of large rear wings seen previously, and rider comfort remains central to development.
Over at Monster Energy Yamaha, frustration was evident. Fabio Quartararo cut a visibly dissatisfied figure as he worked through chassis variations and a new swingarm specification. He and Alex Rins both had updated aero components, but neither found the breakthrough they were seeking, ending the day 18th and 19th respectively.
The Countdown Begins
With one final test day remaining, the paddock now shifts into decision-making mode. Aero packages must be chosen, chassis directions confirmed and race simulations completed.
Day 1 may have ended with Alex Marquez on top and Marc Marquez close behind, but the deeper story lies in the details: evolving machinery, tight margins, and manufacturers edging ever closer together.
Sunday’s running begins half an hour earlier than planned, and with so much still unresolved, the final hours of pre-season could prove decisive.
