Yamaha faced another difficult test with its new V4 MotoGP bike at Buriram. Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins reported problems with power, traction and consistency, leaving the team far from the front. Riders say a stable setup has not yet been found, though Jack Miller noted small improvements and believes development is moving in the right direction.
Pedro Acosta says KTM has improved but may not be ready to win races at the start of the 2026 MotoGP season. After pre-season testing, he described Ducati and Aprilia as the current reference manufacturers. Acosta was encouraged by sprint simulations but admitted the RC16 still needs development before consistently challenging at the front.
Nicolo Bulega claimed victory in the WorldSBK Superpole Race at Phillip Island after recovering from a slow start to retake the lead within four laps. Axel Bassani finished second, while Alex Lowes held off Yari Montella for third. The result marked Bulega’s second win of the opening weekend and his fifth consecutive victory at the Australian circuit.
Francesco Bagnaia says he has decided his plans for the 2027 MotoGP season but has not yet revealed his next team. Strong speculation connects the two-time champion with a move to Aprilia alongside Marco Bezzecchi. He indicated official announcements will follow soon, as several contracts across the grid are expected to be finalised before the season opener.
Alex Márquez set the quickest time on the opening day of the Buriram MotoGP test. Marc Márquez suffered two crashes during the session but avoided serious injury and continued testing. Teams focused on setup work and long runs as preparations continued before the new season begins.
Fabio Quartararo showed clear frustration with Yamaha’s new V4 MotoGP bike during the Buriram test after struggling for performance. The manufacturer introduced the engine to improve competitiveness but early running has been difficult, including engine issues at Sepang. Quartararo, who also injured a finger in testing earlier, continues working with the team as development progresses.
MotoGP will relocate the Australian Grand Prix from Phillip Island to an Adelaide street circuit from 2027. The move is linked to more reliable weather, higher attendance potential and stronger commercial value. Phillip Island remains popular with riders and fans, but its remote location and unpredictable conditions have affected scheduling and race organisation in recent seasons.
Nicolo Bulega secured pole position for the WorldSBK round at Phillip Island after leading every session before Superpole. The Italian was over 0.4 seconds faster than Yari Montella, who achieved his first front-row start in the category. Bulega’s strong pace puts him in a leading position ahead of Race 1 at the Australian circuit.
Nicolo Bulega won the opening WorldSBK Race 1 at Phillip Island, starting the 2026 season strongly for Ducati. Yari Montella finished second, with Lorenzo Baldassarri third to complete an all-Ducati podium. The race featured close battles behind the leader as riders managed tyres and pace at the fast Australian circuit.
Nicolo Bulega topped the third WorldSBK practice session at Phillip Island, continuing his strong pace ahead of the race weekend. Sam Lowes finished second while Axel Bassani stayed among the front runners. Teams used the session to refine setup and tyre choice before qualifying, with close lap times across the leading group.