The latest images released by MotoGP following Day 1 of the Sepang Test have confirmed what many suspected: reigning World Champion Marc Marquez is leaving nothing to chance.
The Ducati Lenovo Team superstar spent his opening day juggling two distinct machines—his title-winning Desmosedici GP25 and the prototype GP26.
Marquez wasted no time asserting his dominance, clocking a blistering 1:57.018 to finish the day at the summit of the timesheets. However, the #93 remains characteristically cautious about the gap between the two iterations of the Ducati beast.
Marquez utilized the “old” GP25—the bike that saw him leave the field in the dust last season—as a performance benchmark. Positioned right next to it in the garage was the new GP26, featuring the latest technical refinements from Borgo Panigale.
Speaking to Spanish outlet Marca after the session, Marquez broke down the nuances of testing a bike where the core engine remains largely frozen due to regulations.
“Technically, the fact that you cannot change the biggest main component of the bike, which is the engine, means there are very few changes. It is foundational, whether it goes up or down [in performance],” Marquez explained.
The champion was quick to warn that the high-grip conditions of a rubbered-in Sepang track can be deceptive.
“Here in testing, with so much rubber on the track, everything works quite well. But you have to be careful in many areas to get a good base, especially considering there are 22 races throughout the year, not just Malaysia,” he noted.
The pressure on this week’s test is amplified by the 2026 calendar. With the Buriram Test in Thailand scheduled very close to the season opener, Marquez highlighted that the heavy lifting for Ducati’s 2026 development must happen right now in Sepang.
“The concepts or improvements for 2026, we are gradually introducing them. It is a complex and difficult test because the Thai test is quite close to the race days. Many things must be decided here,” Marquez added.
Credit Photo : MotoGP
