Pirelli MotoGP test reveals clearer look at Ducati’s new 850cc prototype
Pirelli has completed its final in-season MotoGP test, which saw a range of 850cc prototypes on-track, including Ducati’s trimmed-down Desmosedici.
Ducati’s new 850cc MotoGP prototype has been spotted at Pirelli’s final in-season test of 2026, which featured a combination of 850cc and modified 1,000cc machines.
One of the major changes set to be adopted for the 2027 MotoGP season is the limitation on aerodynamics, with ride-height devices banned, too.
And the latest images of Ducati’s 850cc development bike show a rather large trimming effect, especially at the front of the bike.
While the front fairing seems to be of a similar size, the current winglets adopted by Ducati and many of its rivals, have been heavily streamlined.
Ducati’s new machine was tested alongside 850cc bikes from Aprilia, Yamaha, Honda and KTM, with a total of 18 riders taking part in the test.
Toprak Razgatlioglu, Raul Fernandez, Pedro Acosta, Fermin Aldeguer, Marco Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez were all present during Monday’s Pirelli test.
All six riders also took part in the Pirelli/850cc MotoGP test at Brno in June, while Acosta is the only rider set to leave his current team that has been at both tests.
Luca Marini and Joan Mir were both absent for Honda ahead of their moves to Tech3 KTM and Gresini Ducati, respectively, in 2027. Diogo Moreira and Johann Zarco instead carried out testing duties for the Japanese company.
Surprisingly, Jack Miller, Brad Binder, and Franco Morbidelli, all of whom are set to leave MotoGP at the end of 2026, took part in the test.
Miller and Binder have been confirmed as WorldSBK riders for next season, and Morbidelli is expected to follow suit by replacing incoming MotoGP rider Nicolo Bulega, at the factory Ducati team.
All three riders completed the Pirelli test, although they will be using Michelin rubber next season as the French tyre manufacturer is replacing Pirelli in the series.
Speaking after the company’s latest test, Giorgio Barbier, Pirelli Motorcycle Racing Director, said:
“Today’s session at the Red Bull Ring represents another step forward in the development of the Pirelli range for the 2027 FIM Grand Prix World Championship, when we will extend to the premier class the exclusive-supplier role we already successfully fulfil in Moto2 and Moto3.
“Our development programme is wide-ranging and includes both collective tests, such as today’s session, and private development work carried out in close collaboration with the manufacturers. It will culminate in the first official tests of 2027, scheduled to take place in Valencia in early December with all of next season’s race riders participating.”
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
