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MotoGP testing day three times as Alex Marquez quickest and Marc Marquez crashes

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The final day of MotoGP’s 2026 pre-season Sepang test is now in the books, and it was Alex Marquez who ended the week on top of the time sheets.

Despite a rain-hit afternoon on day two, the MotoGP grid has been able to secure some valuable track time ahead of the upcoming new season of racing, and there’s plenty of data for engineers to decipher.

Marc Marquez topped the first day of running, as he offered a quick return to the top of the time sheets following a winter break that was largely focused on recovering from a broken collarbone.

On the second day, it was Joan Mir who claimed the fastest time for Honda as they look to continue their 2025 trajectory of becoming a front-running constructor following several years around the back of the midfield.

Alex Marquez tops the final day of the Sepang test! Are you expecting any changes to this order in Buriram? 🤔

Let us know in the comments below!

Gresini rider Alex Marquez during the media scrum at the 2025 Valencia Grand Prix
Photo by Hazrin Yeob Men Shah/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Alex Marquez sets the benchmark on day three of MotoGP’s 2026 Sepang test

The session opened under cooler conditions, sparking an immediate qualifying-sim frenzy. Marco Bezzecchi and Joan Mir were the first to break into the 1:57s, followed quickly by Trackhouse duo Raul Fernandez and Ai Ogura.

Things went up a notch as Fabio Di Giannantonio initially set an early benchmark of 1:56.785, only to be eclipsed minutes later by Alex Marquez.

The Gresini star posted a 1:56.402, coming within striking distance of Francesco Bagnaia’s all-time lap record of a 1:56.337.

Later in the morning, the reigning world champion Marc Marquez overcame a minor crash at turn one to slot into P3 with a 1:56.789, cementing a Ducati top three heading into the lunch break.

As track temperatures continued to soar, the focus shifted from one-lap shootouts to longer run simulations.

The younger Marquez brother seemed to have been the most consistent in race trim, posting consistent times that put him around one-tenth quicker than Bagnaia’s sprint simulations.

After technical setbacks on day two, Yamaha were cleared to run on the final day, which saw them get in some valuable laps early on in the day while Fabio Quartararo continued to nurse his broken finger.

Fine margins! How many new lap records will we see in 2026? 🔥

Let us know in the comments below!

Alex Marquez walking through the MotoGP paddock behind Francesco Bagnaia.
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images

Day three results for MotoGP’s 2026 Sepang test

POSITIONRIDERTEAMTIME/GAPSESSION
1Alex MarquezGresini1:56.402AM
2Marco BezzecchiAprilia+0.124PM
3Fabio Di GiannantonioVR46+0.383AM
4Marc MarquezDucati+0.387AM
5Francesco BagnaiaDucati+0.527AM
6Franco MorbidelliVR46+0.728AM
7Raul FernandezTrackhouse+0.843AM
8Pedro AcostaKTM+0.851AM
9Joan MirHonda+0.866AM
10Enea BastianiniTech3+0.888AM
11Ai OguraTrackhouse+0.924PM
12Alex RinsYamaha+1.178AM
13Brad BinderKTM+1.188PM
14Maverick VinalesTech3+1.197AM
15Johann ZarcoLCR+1.199AM
16Luca MariniHonda+1.499PM
17Jack MillerPramac+1.754PM
18Toprak RazgatliogluPramac+1.924PM
19Diogo MoreiraLCR+2.074PM
20Lorenzo SavadoriAprilia+2.500AM
21Augusto FernandezYamaha+2.876AM