The 2026 pre-season is officially closed in Thailand with Marc Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia positive after the two days of session.
The curtain falls on the 2026 pre-season, with Marc Márquez and Francesco Bagnaia among the most competitive riders ready to back to the track for the Thai GP (February 27 – March 1), the season-opening race scheduled for the next weekend. At the end of the two-day of testing at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Marc is P3 and Pecco is P4 in the combined standings.
A demanding schedule to dispel any remaining doubts about the aerodynamic package, with time attacks and race simulations for both riders. The excellent sensations from the Malaysian test were confirmed, with Marc (129 laps) forced to end the session early due to stomach illness and after a crash, but still able to stop the clock at 1’28.836. Close to him Pecco (117 laps) with a best lap time of 1’28.883.
Marc Márquez (#93, Ducati Lenovo Team)
“I finished riding a little earlier than expected due to the crash, but the feeling is still positive. I was doing the long run, the last scheduled effort of the day, but on the seventh lap I crashed at Turn 3. Yesterday I had a stomach illness, today I recovered a bit, but I’m very tired and wasn’t fully focused. I entered the corner too fast and lost the front. It’s a shame, it was my mistake, but I’m relaxed. We’ve chosen the right aerodynamic package, we’re competitive in time attacks and also in race pace. Now we’ll make the most of these three days to recover energy for next week’s race”.
Francesco Bagnaia (#63, Ducati Lenovo Team)
“We worked really well, we managed to complete the entire program, testing the new parts, and I’m satisfied with the base of the bike for the season. In terms of decisions, all the Ducati riders went in the same direction on the technical package, and that’s a good thing. We did a race simulation; it wasn’t perfect; I had a small problem, but it was better today than during the weekend. This Thai test was a crucial one, at least for me, and I’m very positive”.
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