– MotoGP is facing a profound upheaval: from 2027, new technical regulations will come into force, and manufacturers have long been working on completely new machines. But while development is in full swing, it is clear: not all riders will be involved in the process early on.
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All manufacturers have already completed their first prototypes. KTM completed tests in Jerez at the end of last year, while Honda and Yamaha carried out their runs in Sepang and Japan respectively, each with their test riders.
Further private tests followed in Jerez in March, where KTM and Yamaha used their 2027 prototypes with Pirelli tires for the first time. In April, Aprilia and Ducati will also join in: they will bring their new machines to the track for the first time, piloted by test riders Lorenzo Savadori and Nicolo Bulega.
Regular riders in action from the end of June
Further test runs are already firmly planned: early May in Mugello, mid-May in Barcelona – one week after the Catalonia GP – and shortly afterwards in Misano, where the 850cc bikes and Pirelli compounds will be used again.
The regular MotoGP riders are only allowed to intervene relatively late. The first outing is scheduled for June 22, immediately after the Czech Grand Prix in Brno.
Further opportunities will follow at the test in Spielberg after the Austrian Grand Prix and at the season finale test in Valencia. The tests in Brno and Spielberg in particular are considered crucial. Although the test riders are driving development forward, feedback from their top riders is indispensable for the manufacturers.
Contractual situation causes inequality
A decisive factor is the rider market: numerous changes between manufacturers ensure that not all riders get early access to the new bikes.
The rule is clear: only riders with a valid contract for 2027, currently such as Johann Zarco and Diogo Moreira – or those who have already extended with their current team – such as Marco Bezzecchi – are allowed to test the new 850cc prototypes.
On the other hand, those who change manufacturers must be patient: an outing would theoretically only be allowed from January 1, 2027. However, an exemption is being worked on to allow all riders access to the new machine as early as the Valencia test at the end of November or beginning of December.
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Who is allowed to test and who is not?
Only riders who have signed a contract extension with their current manufacturer before the tests in Brno and Spielberg are allowed to ride the 2027-specification motorcycle at these tests. On the other hand, it is ruled out that a rider may test a motorcycle from a competing manufacturer.
Scenarios such as Fabio Quartararo on a Honda, Jorge Martin on a Yamaha, Pedro Acosta on a Ducati or Francesco Bagnaia on an Aprilia will therefore not happen.
Based on current knowledge regarding rider contracts, this means: seven riders will be able to ride the new prototypes with Pirelli tires at the tests in Brno and Spielberg, five definitely not. For the others, the situation is still open.
When does the concession system end?
After the season finale in Valencia on November 29, another central question comes into focus: when does the existing concession system end? Immediately after the race in Valencia or only officially at the end of the year on December 31?
There is much to suggest November 30 as the cut-off date. In this case, all riders could ride the motorcycle of their future manufacturer at the subsequent test on November 30 or December 1, regardless of existing contracts.
Valencia as a key date for 2027
This could make the Valencia test a decisive moment: for the first time, all manufacturers would have the opportunity to incorporate the feedback from their top riders into the final development phase of the new prototypes for the new regulatory era.
Afterwards, there is little time left – less than two months until the first pre-season test at the end of January. Aprilia and Ducati could have a small advantage: with Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez, they have two reference riders at their disposal who can collect valuable test kilometers on the new bikes in advance.
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