Márquez Crashes Three Times in Testing

Marc Márquez attributed his three crashes during the Buriram test to a lack of concentration caused by a stomach bug, which left him physically drained. Despite the falls, the Ducati team, including team boss Davide Tardozzi, expressed no concern, stating it wouldn't affect his performance for the season opener. Márquez himself was positive about the bike's performance when he was physically fit. Marco Bezzecchi's "sharp form" on the Aprilia was demonstrated by him setting an all-time lap record at the Chang International Circuit with a time of 1:28.668 on the final day of testing. This performance, along with strong showings from other Aprilia riders, suggests the Noale factory will be a significant contender in the upcoming season. Bezzecchi's 20-lap average of 1:30.454 further underlined Aprilia's competitive race pace. Pedro Acosta's contract with KTM is set to expire at the end of the 2026 season, and there are strong indications he will not renew, having previously expressed a desire to leave. This situation has fueled rumors of a move to Ducati for the 2027 season, with some reports suggesting he has already made his decision to depart from the Austrian manufacturer. The impending engine freeze for the 2026 season is a cost-saving measure ahead of major regulation changes in 2027, which will see the introduction of 850cc engines. This freeze applies to manufacturers in concession ranks A, B, and C, effectively locking in their 2025 engine designs. This is seen as an advantage for Ducati, who currently hold a competitive edge, while manufacturers in Rank D, such as Yamaha, will be exempt and can continue development. Michele Pirro, who is substituting for the injured Fermín Aldeguer, has a notable history with the Gresini team. He raced for them in Moto2 in 2011, securing an emotional victory in Valencia shortly after the death of Marco Simoncelli, and also rode for the team in MotoGP in 2012. Since 2013, Pirro has been the official test rider for Ducati, making him a highly experienced replacement. Fermín Aldeguer's absence is due to a fractured femur sustained in a training crash in Spain. The injury required surgery, making his participation in the opening rounds of the season impossible.