Marc Marquez powered the new Ducati GP26 to the fastest lap in Sepang MotoGP test Day 1 as Fabio Quartararo crashed in the early running, sparking concerns over the V4-engined Yamaha M1.
The reigning world champion marked his first time back on a MotoGP machine since a high-profile clash with Marco Bezzecchi in Indonesia last October, a 121-day layoff that did little to dull his edge as he vaulted to the top of the timesheets with just 20 minutes remaining in the session.
The Sepang test served as the official launchpad for the new season with all 23 riders on the grid hitting the track to shake down 2026-spec machinery amid a buzz of new aerodynamic packages, engine mappings, and chassis tweaks across the manufacturer lines.
The day unfolded across morning and afternoon sessions, starting with riders gradually building confidence on the demanding 5.543km Malaysian circuit known for its mix of high-speed sweeps, tight technical sectors, and abrasive surface that punishes tire wear.
Early running saw Gresini’s Alex Marquez dictate proceedings, posting a strong 1:57.487 that held the top spot for much of the morning as teams focused on baseline setups and long-run simulations.
Ducati’s dominance was evident from the outset with multiple Ducati GP26 prototypes littering the top of the leaderboard, but it was Marc Marquez who unleashed the killer lap in the dying embers of the afternoon.
The Spaniard clocked 1:57.018 to shave over a second off his personal tally and edge out the field by 0.256s ahead of VR46’s Fabio Di Giannantonio on an identical Ducati.
Hot on their heels in third was KTM Tech3’s Maverick Vinales, trailing by 0.277s. His performance hinted at KTM’s aggressive push into 2026 with updated electronics and a revised swingarm that appeared to unlock sharper mid-corner pace on the demanding Turn 3 right-hander.
Alex Marquez was fourth fastest despite leading much of the day, but consistency shone through in his 73 laps, focusing on race trim setups for Gresini while his brother stole the headlines.
Marco Bezzecchi slotted into fifth, 0.506s adrift, after a day of direct back-to-back testing between the 2025 bike and the evolved Aprilia RS-GP26, which boasted sleeker sidepod fairings and a stiffer rear end for better drive out of low-speed turns.
Honda showed promising signs with Luca Marini spearheading their effort in sixth on the new Honda RC213V, just 0.551s off the pace, edging teammate Joan Mir by just 0.124s.
Two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia rounded out the top eight, just 0.702s adrift his Ducati teammate Marquez, the deficit masked by his evaluation of an all-carbon-fiber aero package that turned heads in the paddock.
Drama unfolded early for Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo, whose day was derailed by a high-speed crash at the treacherous Turn 5—a left-hander demanding precise throttle control—just minutes into the morning session, sending him tumbling and prompting a mandatory medical center visit.
Despite walking away with reported soreness and a suspected broken finger, the 2021 world champion displayed grit by returning for the afternoon, mustering a best of 1:57.869 to claim ninth, 0.851s behind Marquez after a morning disrupted lap of 1:59.886.
This effort on the new V4-engined Yamaha M1 prototype highlighted resilience amid whispers of ongoing teething issues with the transition from inline-four to crossplane crank powerhouse.
Quartararo’s setback was compounded by confirmation that he would sit out the remaining two days of testing to prioritize recovery, a blow for Yamaha as they chase parity with frontrunners.
READ MORE:
Full 2026 Sepang MotoGP Test Day 1 Results
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