Follow us on

News

Joan Mir tops rain-hit day 2 of MotoGP’s 2026 Sepang test as Yamaha suffer engine issues

Add as preferred source on Google

Lap times continued to fall, as did the rain, on day two of MotoGP’s pre-season Sepang test, with Honda’s Joan Mir topping the time sheets.

After a successful first day of testing on Tuesday, an afternoon shower scuppered any chances of another full day of mileage for the MotoGP grid on Wednesday.

Marc Marquez set the benchmark on day one, and the rest of the factory-supported Ducati riders had a lot of positives to take into day two atop more friendly machinery.

Fabio Quartararo ruled himself out of the rest of the week following his heavy crash on Tuesday that left him with a broken finger.

It didn’t matter too much, though, as Yamaha pulled out of the second day of testing due to an unforeseen engine issue with their new V4-powered M1.

Day 2 is now in the books! Are there any surprises in the timings from today? 🤔

Let us know in the comments below!

Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images

Joan Mir tops day two of MotoGP’s 2026 Sepang test

The session began under scorching conditions, with Fabio Di Giannantonio setting the initial benchmark atop his new factory Ducati bike.

Performance levels peaked early in the day as Joan Mir clocked a 1:56.874, marking a significant six-tenths improvement over his qualifying time from last year’s edition of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Franco Morbidelli then joined Mir in the 1:56 club, but the major talking point was the absence of Yamaha.

The Iwata-based factory halted its testing schedule following an unresolved technical issue that was present on day one, leaving their pit box quiet for the duration of the blog coverage.

Action slowed down in the afternoon following a crash at turn five from Alex Marquez, which left his factory Ducati bike damaged.

A sudden downfall of rain hit the circuit around 4pm local time, which effectively ended meaningful dry running.

Have Honda done enough to have an 2025 Aprilia-esque season this year?

Let us know in the comments below!

Luca Marini of Honda speaks in the San Marino Grand Prix press conference
Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Day two results for MotoGP’s 2026 Sepang test

POSITIONRIDERTEAMTIME/GAP
1Joan MirHonda1:56.874
2Franco MorbidelliVR46+0.109
3Fabio Di GiannantonioVR46+0.175
4Pedro AcostaKTM+0.242
5Maverick VinalesTech3+0.252
6Marco BezzecchiAprilia+0.267
7Raul FernandezTrackhouse+0.400
8Francesco BagnaiaDucati+0.428
9Ai OguraTrackhouse+0.502
10Enea BastianiniTech3+0.676
11Luca MariniHonda+0.691
12Alex MarquezGresini+0.790
13Brad BinderKTM+0.879
14Johann ZarcoLCR+1.472
15Marc MarquezDucati+1.512
16Lorenzo SavadoriAprilia+1.692
17Diogo MoreiraLCR+1.697