Red Bull Ring exclusive: 850cc MotoGP test with Márquez, Acosta, Zarco and co.

Development of the new generation of MotoGP bikes for 2027, featuring four-cylinder engines with a capacity of just 850 cc, has reached its preliminary peak. All manufacturers have long since shifted their focus to the fundamentally redesigned prototypes for the coming years. Whilst the European manufacturers – Aprilia and Ducati are locked in a close battle for the riders’ and constructors’ world championships – are simultaneously trying to improve the performance of their existing bikes, the Japanese projects are focused even more strongly on the 850cc generation.

Following numerous private tests – with trials having taken place on various circuits across Europe as recently as last week – and an initial major official test in Brno, which also gave the regular riders their first taste of the new MotoGP machinery, the next joint 850cc test with the new tyre supplier took place today, Monday, following the Austrian Grand Prix.

Spielberg-Sieger Pedro Acosta auf der 850er-MotoGP-KTM

Foto: David Ulrich

The winners of the previous day’s event were the first to take to the Red Bull Ring. KTM tested in Spielberg with a large contingent. Sunday’s hero Acosta put the 850cc KTM through its paces, as did Pol Espargaró, Brad Binder and Moto2 ace Senna Agius, who is set to join the Tech3 team next year. Notably, Maverick Viñales also used the event for a MotoGP fitness check ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix the weekend after next. Provided his physical condition is very good, Viñales is set to contest the rest of the season in any case. Test and reserve rider Pol Espargaro suffered an early but minor crash at Turn 2. The Spaniard was able to ride back to the pits.

Ducati, also out on the track at Spielberg with their red 850cc bike, had to do without regular rider Nicolo Bulega, as previously reported on SPEEDWEEK.com. Alongside Marc Marquez, Franky Morbidelli – who is set to retire at the end of 2026 – was on the track. Youngster Fermin Aldeguer was also on site.

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Marco Bezzecchi erprobte die 850er-Aprilia

Foto: David Ulrich

Things were rather low-key at Aprilia. The Sprint winner and championship leader, like Ai Ogura, had already left Spielberg on Sunday. Both will be team-mates in the Yamaha works team in 2027. Marco Bezzecchi, Raul Fernandez and test rider Lorenzo Savadori, on the other hand, were busy with testing.

Honda-Youngster Diogo Moreira

Foto: David Ulrich

Three MotoGP riders were also on the Honda line-up. Alongside Taka Nakagami, who impressed on the 1000cc machine at the GP and finished ahead of Luca Marini, the LCR riders Zarco and Moreira were also in action.

Yamaha took an aggressive approach. The Japanese motorcycling giant, currently trailing the field, fielded rising star Toprak Razgatlioglu alongside test rider Augusto Fernandez in Austria. They were joined by veteran Jack Miller, who will be switching to the Superbike World Championship with Yamaha next year. With Izan Guevara, a second Moto2 rider alongside Senna Agius was also able to take to the track on the 850cc M1. However, the Spaniard had already completed his first test at the end of 2025, at that time still on the 1000cc bike in Valencia.

Raul Fernandez (Aprilia) vor Franco Morbidelli (Ducati)

Foto: David Ulrich

Journalists were not granted access to the paddock on Monday. The final official 850cc test ahead of the debut of the new MotoGP generation on 1 December in Valencia is taking place without publicly accessible lap timing. The fact that the test at the Red Bull Ring went ahead in good conditions is confirmed by the photographic material exclusively available to SPEEDWEEK.com.