MotoGP teams had five days of pre-season testing in Malaysia and Thailand this February. It was an important opportunity for the teams to fine-tune their bikes before the season kicked off.

So let’s take a look at what we’ve learned:

Ducati

Ducati enters the new season at the top. However, the Italian manufacturer made little progress over the winter, mostly because its 2024 bike is already almost perfect. While the lack of development might seem strange, it has given rival teams a chance to try to close the gap.

Marc Marquez was the standout rider in the Thailand test, where he topped the timesheets and completed an impressive 23-lap race simulation in Buriram. His speed and consistency suggest that he is ready to fight for wins.

Yamaha and Honda

Yamaha’s performance at Sepang had raised hopes, but in comparison, the results in Buriram were much less convincing. Even though Yamaha’s M1 struggled in Thailand, mostly with grip issues, Fabio Quartararo admitted that they have difficulties with front-end stability. Despite this, Yamaha’s goal of finishing in the top five now seems within reach—just not yet.

Meanwhile, Honda showed big improvements. Joan Mir was particularly confident after the Thailand test, hinting that Honda might finally be on an upward trajectory.

Aprilia

Aprilia had a rocky start to pre-season testing, especially after Jorge Martin’s injury on the first day. However, the team found a silver lining in Marco Bezzecchi. Despite never having been a development rider before, Bezzecchi managed to adapt quickly and deliver impressive lap times. He pushed the RS-GP bike and helped Aprilia make solid progress.

KTM

KTM riders refrained from media interactions, as uncertainty about KTM’s future still looms over the team. On the track, Acosta showed speed in qualifying runs but struggled with tyre performance in longer stints. With no clear answers, KTM remains a mystery as we head into the new season.

Looking Ahead

With the season opener just around the corner, Ducati remains the top team to beat, but its rivals have made significant progress. Marquez’s return to top form, Honda’s recovery, and Bezzecchi’s rise all add to the excitement of the season.

Stay tuned for more updates as the first race weekend approaches!