2026 MotoGP Sepang Test: Honda fastest as Yamaha hits V4 trouble

MotoGP’s two Japanese manufacturers created the biggest stories of the second day of the Sepang test, with Honda topping the times and Yamaha declining to ride.

Joan Mir put Honda on the top of the times with the fastest lap of Sepang this year between the Shakedown last week and this week’s official test. Mir’s 1:56.874 was 0.6 seconds faster than he managed in Q2 last year, indicating the progress Honda has made over the winter. On the other hand, there were no other Honda riders in the top-10, but it’s possible they were delaying any time attack runs until the end of the day, by which time it had started raining.

For Yamaha, the story was the opposite of their compatriot brand, as they were unable to complete any laps.

After Fabio Quartararo’s crash on day one of the test, which resulted in a broken finger that led him to withdraw from the remainder of the test on physical grounds, Yamaha found a problem with the engine in his bike, as reported by The Race. It was for this issue that Yamaha decided not to ride on day two of the test.

Investigations are still ongoing at the Iwata marque to determine the cause of the issue and whether it can be addressed satisfactorily on-site in Sepang, and therefore whether it can resume testing on Thursday, the final day of the Sepang test.

Outside of the Japanese marques, all three European brands had reasonable-looking days time-wise, with both VR46 Ducatis in the top-three (led by Morbidelli); KTM in the top-five with both Pedro Acosta and Maverick Vinales; and Aprilia putting three bikes in the top-10 with Marco Bezzecchi, Raul Fernandez, and Ai Ogura.

Day one time-topper Marc Marquez finished day two 15th, and the only circulating rookie, Diogo Moreira, was 17th after his turn five crash on day one.

Full MotoGP Sepang Test results from day two are available on Crash.net. 

Find all the latest motorcycle news on Visordown.