MotoGP Valencia test 2025: Top performers, new faces, and what it all means for 2026
20 November 2025Just two days after the curtain came down on the 2025 MotoGP season, the grid returned to the Ricardo Tormo circuit for the official Valencia test and the first real look at how the field could shape up heading into 2026.
A damp morning pushed running back until the afternoon, but once the track dried, the times came thick and fast. With new machines and new riders, the test gave fans plenty to dissect.
Aprilia end 2025 on top: Fernandez fastest, Bezzecchi close behind
Aprilia’s late-season surge continued at the test. After Marco Bezzecchi closed the championship with back-to-back Grand Prix victories, it was Trackhouse Aprilia’s Raul Fernandez who topped the final timing sheets with a 1:29.373.
Bezzecchi, meanwhile, confirmed the RS-GP’s form by finishing just 0.027s behind despite running new aero including several rear-wing prototypes.
With Fernandez showing the ultimate pace of the 2025 machine and Bezzecchi pushing ahead with development, Aprilia appear to have both performance and headroom to grow heading into 2026.
Alex Marquez leads Ducati charge: 2025 runner-up on top form
Behind the Aprilias, the fastest Ducati wasn’t a factory machine, but Alex Marquez on the Gresini who ended the test third-fastest and just 0.084s off the top.
After finishing second in the 2025 championship, his satellite Ducati continues to look rapid ahead of the new season, with team-mate Fermin Aldeguer also impressing in fourth, completing a strong day for the BK8 Gresini duo.
Consistency continues at KTM: Acosta and Viñales keep pace
Pedro Acosta wrapped up his sensational sophomore season fourth in the points, and that consistency carried straight into testing with the Red Bull KTM rider finishing fifth.
Just behind him, Maverick Viñales continued to look increasingly at home on the RC16 in sixth.
With three KTMs inside the top nine, the Austrian manufacturer appears to be building on its late-season step forward.
Bulega finds speed on the factory Ducati, Bagnaia slower after fall
Having spent the last two rounds substituting for the injured Marc Marquez, Nicolo Bulega finally showed signs of unlocking the full potential of the factory Ducati.
The 2024 and 2025 WSBK runner-up took the eighth-fastest time, less than three tenths off Fernandez and only two tenths behind the fastest Ducati.
Francesco Bagnaia, however, closed the day in tenth, nearly a tenth behind Bulega after suffering a late fall that disrupted his programme. His run of five Grand Prix retirements to end the season, coupled with his testing blunder, put him firmly on the back foot heading into 2026.
Honda and Yamaha still struggling
Despite new concessions helping development, both Japanese factories remain on the back foot in the bottom half of the field.
Joan Mir led the Honda effort in 12th, closely followed by Johann Zarco and Luca Marini.
Yamaha’s new V4 project remains in its early stages as well. Fabio Quartararo finished 15th, while Alex Rins and Jack Miller were firmly in the last quarter of the timesheets.
There’s a long winter ahead for both manufacturers.
Toprak takes tentative first steps
Three-time WorldSBK Champion Toprak Razgatlioglu took part in his first official MotoGP test with Pramac Yamaha and focused solely on the V4.
He finished 18th, making him the second-quickest Yamaha rider. A solid baseline as he adapts to the demands of MotoGP.
READ MORE: Who is Toprak Razgatlıoğlu and why is he moving to MotoGP?
Moreira makes his debut
The test also marked the first official MotoGP outing for Diogo Moreira, the reigning Moto2 champion, riding for LCR Honda. He finished 21st, using the day to acclimatise to a new team and bike.
