Who will it be this year? Can anyone stop the seemingly unstoppable Marc Márquez (Ducati Lenovo) in 2026?
In South Africa, we will naturally centre our hopes on Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) in MotoGP and Ruche Moodley (Team Code Motorsports) in Moto3. Darryn Binder will not compete in Moto2 this season. Following injury setbacks last year, he has transitioned to the MotoAmerica Supersport series, joining Warhorse HSBK Racing aboard a Ducati Panigale V2.
The MotoGP season officially launched in Kuala Lumpur on Friday night, 6 February, with 20,000 fans turning out for the spectacle. Although the championship is still in its testing phase, anticipation is already running high, and 2026 promises fireworks.
Silly Season 2027 is already heating up and generating serious buzz.So far, Marco Bezzecchi (Aprilia Racing) is the only rider to have publicly and ceremoniously confirmed his 2027 commitment — complete with wedding style theatrics and vows to his team.
His teammate Jorge Martín, after an injury plagued 2025 but now declared fit to race, is reportedly eyeing options, with speculation linking him to Monster Energy Yamaha. Meanwhile, rumours suggest Fabio Quartararo could be considering a move to Honda HRC Castrol. At Honda, however, current riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini are not keen to relinquish their seats. At reigning Team Champions Ducati Lenovo, Marc Márquez has indicated that staying would be his first choice, a sentiment echoed by team manager Davide Tardozzi. Teammate Francesco Bagnaia has hinted only at “great opportunities for 2027,” while it is no secret that Pedro Acosta, who joined Red Bull KTM Factory Racing in 2025, has his eyes on a Ducati seat alongside Márquez.
All Yamaha riders are up for renewal. With three-time WorldSBK Champion, Toprak Razgatlioglu the newest addition, he appears the least likely to move. Yamaha management included Max Bartolini, Paolo Pavesio and Maio Meregalli in plans for 2027. There are suggestions that Alex Márquez (BK8 Gresini Racing MotoGP) could switch to Red Bull KTM should Acosta make the move to Ducati. That scenario would leave one KTM seat open, potentially between Maverick Viñales and Brad Binder, who endured a difficult 2025 season. At Gresini, Fermin Aldeguer has indicated he intends to stay put. The VR46 Ducati squad, owned by Valentino Rossi, who is hungry for wins in 2027, may place pressure on Fabio Di Giannantonio and Franco Morbidelli after a winless 2025 campaign.
Day one of testing at the Petronas Sepang International Circuit brought few surprises. Marc Márquez returned to the top of the timesheets, with Luca Marini (Honda HRC Castrol) second and Bezzecchi leading the Aprilia charge in third.
Fabio Quartararo crashed at Turn 5. Although cleared of fractures, ongoing arm and hand pain forced him to sit out further sessions. South Africa’s Brad Binder finished down in P21 on day one, focusing on rhythm and mileage rather than outright lap times.
Monster Energy Yamaha and Prima Pramac had a challenging start. With Quartararo sidelined, Alex Rins delivered a solid sixth place. Jack Miller secured P4, while newcomer Toprak (P14) continued adapting to Michelin tyres and experimenting with different seat configurations.
By the end of the Sepang test, the leaderboard looked very different:
Bezzecchi topped the timesheets, Fabio Di Giannantonio was second, and Alex Márquez third. Brad Binder showed steady progress to finish P6 overall. After guidance from Márquez and Miller, Toprak concluded the test in P15.
Be sure to be ready for the season-opening race at the Chang International Circuit in Thailand from 27 February to 1 March.
Staff Writer
Reporting from the front lines of the automotive industry, delivering expert analysis and the technical updates that drive the South African motor sector forward.
