Andrew McLarneyMotoGP Reporter
Andrew McLarney is an accredited MotoGP reporter with four years experience as a professional writer across the sports and video game industries. His experience as a K1 Premier League competitor evolved into a fascination with all forms of combat sport and eventually motorsport — with MotoGP becoming his primary focus. On top of that he is also an avid follower of MXGP and AMA Supercross/Motocross.
The 2026 MotoGP season is quickly approaching and pre-season testing is scheduled to get underway soon. It is an important time for both the riders and manufacturers to guage how their performances might look for the coming season and which areas need improvement.
There are a total of three pre-season tests set to take place ahead of the season opener in Buriram, Thailand on 1 March, including two at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia.
A season launch event will also take place in the Malay capital of Kuala Lumpur to kick off the festivities of the new season and give fans the chance to see and hear from riders up close.
The first test is set to kick off on Thursday 29 January with the final pre-season running taking place a week before the first race in Thailand.
Times will be early in the morning for European viewers as they will take place during the day on their respective Asian schedules.
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Sepang Malaysia test MotoGP
Full MotoGP Pre-Season and Testing Schedule 2026
Shakedown Test (Sepang)
Thursday, 29 January
03 - 11am CET (02 - 10am GMT)
Friday, 30 January
03 - 11am CET (02 - 10am GMT)
Saturday, 31 January
03 - 11am CET (02 - 10am GMT)
Sepang Test
Tuesday, 3 February
Session 1: 03 - 06am CET (02 - 05am GMT)
Session 2: 6:20 - 11am CET (5:20 - 10am GMT)
After The Flag: 10:30 - 12am CET (9:30 - 11am GMT)
Wednesday, 4 February
Session 1: 03 - 06am CET (02 - 05am GMT)
Session 2: 6:20 - 11am CET (5:20 - 10am GMT)
After The Flag: 10:30 - 12am CET (9:30 - 11am GMT)
Thursday 5 February
Session 1: 03 - 06am CET (02 - 05am GMT)
Session 2: 6:20 - 11am CET (5:20 - 10am GMT)
After The Flag: 10:30 - 12am CET (9:30 - 11am GMT)
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MotoGP Launch Kuala Lumpur
Saturday, 7 February
12 - 15:30pm CET (11am - 14:30pm GMT)
Buriram Test
Saturday 21 February
Session 1: 04 - 07am CET (03 - 06am GMT)
Session 2: 7:20am - 12pm CET(6:20 - 11am GMT)
After The Flag: 11:30am - 13:00pm CET(10:30am - 12pm GMT)
Sunday 22 February
Session 1: 04 - 07am CET (03 - 06am GMT)
Session 2: 7:20am - 12pm CET(6:20 - 11am GMT)
After The Flag: 11:30am - 13:00pm CET(10:30am - 12pm GMT)
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