Bastianini presses MotoGP to change 850cc test rules

KTM rider Enea Bastianini is continuing to push for a change to MotoGP's test rules ahead of the 2027 season, when the new 850cc bikes are introduced. Some riders have already had considerable running on the new machines in official tests this year, while others, including Bastianini, have had far less. Bastianini, who moves from Tech3 KTM to Trackhouse Aprilia, will not ride an 850cc bike until the post-season test in Valencia next month.

The gap is not limited to Bastianini. Jorge Martin, Ai Ogura, Francesco Bagnaia, Alex Marquez and Fabio Di Giannantonio are among the other riders who have not taken part in the official tests. Ahead of February's Sepang test, these riders will have completed only one day on their 2027 bikes, while others will have had several. Nicolo Bulega, Ducati's official test rider, has the most experience of the 2027 package of any rider.

Bastianini wants the rules for the Sepang Shakedown to allow riders changing brands to ride during those two days, to offset the lack of track time with next year's bikes. He first raised the issue in Indonesia.