On Monday, 22 June, the Red Bull Ring in Spielberg hosted the final round of the 2026 MotoGP tyre tests, giving every rider a chance to touch the Pirelli compounds set to replace the current supplier in 2027.
Strategic rider placements by manufacturers
Teams used the test’s open slots selectively to maximise their contractual priorities. KTM, for example, booked Pedro Acosta’s spot even as the Spaniard is scheduled to ride the Ducati 2027 bike. Yamaha and Aprilia, meanwhile, sealed out their riders who will leave at season’s end, preventing Fabio Quartararo, Jorge Martín and other departing stars from touching the new tyres.
A diverse but uneven field
Brno’s June “first look” session had a wide roster, including Marc Marquez, Fermín Aldeguer, Marco Bezzecchi, Raul Fernandez, Luca Marini, Joan Mir, Toprak Razgatlıoglu, Pedro Acosta, Dani Pedrosa, Pol Espargaro, and Augusto Fernandez. For Spielberg, the lineup will be trimmed: Mir and Marini will be absent, with Johann Zarco, Diogo Moreira and test rider Takaaki Nakagami filling the freed spots. Nicolo Bulega will also skip the session after a heavy crash in the private Mugello test.
Implications for the 2027 paddock
Pirelli had hoped every 2027 grid‑eligible rider would try the new compounds before the season’s end. With a September invitation list missing key factory riders, their feedback will come only from the Cheste test after the December Valencia Grand Prix, when the entire grid runs the first 2027 pre‑season session.
Looking ahead to Valencia and beyond
The December 1 Valencia test will be the launchpad for the 2027 MotoGP season. Teams that had no chance to test the 2026 compounds, like certain Yamaha and Ducati affiliates, will therefore rely on the final Cheste feedback to calibrate their 2027 machinery and tyres.
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