MotoGP factories have been intensively testing their 2027 prototypes all through this year – but full-grid testing will only commence once the 2026 season has concluded.
The usual one-day test in Valencia on the Tuesday after this year’s season finale will be followed two months later by a two-day shakedown and two-day test at Sepang, and a two-day test at Buriram.
Most of the grid will thus get five days of pre-season 850cc running with Pirelli tyres.
Rookies will be an exception, allowed to run in the shakedown along with the factories’ test riders. While this is totally normal practice for MotoGP, it could be more contentious than usual this year – as some believe next year’s rookies (coming from Moto2 or World Superbikes) already have a built-in advantage in their knowledge of Pirelli rubber from their respective series’.
Full testing schedule:
Valencia test – Dec 1 (Tue)
Sepang shakedown – Jan 29 (Fri) and Jan 30 (Sat)
Sepang test – Jan 31 (Sun) and Feb 1 (Mon)
Buriram test – Feb 6 (Sat) and Feb 7 (Sun)
There will be a gap of a month between the Buriram test and the season-opening Thai Grand Prix at the same venue.
