BASTIANINI WARNS RIDERS WITHOUT PIRELLI TESTING FACE A 2027 DISADVANTAGE

Enea Bastianini believes riders who have not yet tried MotoGP’s new Pirelli tyres are already losing ground ahead of the 2027 regulation change. The Tech3 rider, who is due to join Aprilia-backed Trackhouse next season, is among those still waiting for a first test on the new rubber. Francesco Bagnaia, Fabio Quartararo and Jorge Martin are also yet to gather data, with the Valencia post-season test expected to be their first opportunity.

Bastianini said the situation was frustrating, though he stopped short of calling himself angry. “It does make me turn up my nose,” he told Motosprint, arguing that riders should have had at least one day on the tyres before Valencia. He joked that the late timing could leave them “exchanging Christmas presents rather than riding.”

He proposed opening the Red Bull Ring test to the full grid, using either current 1000cc bikes or reduced-power versions to let riders begin learning how the tyres behave. “In my opinion, anyone who doesn’t test the tyres will be at a disadvantage,” he said.

The testing arrangements have been uneven. Pedro Acosta, who is set to replace Bagnaia at factory Ducati, was allowed to ride at the Austrian circuit despite his move. Meanwhile, Bastianini was the only rider in KTM’s group not given a chance to test there. Maverick Viñales and Brad Binder, both leaving the premier class after 2026, did ride de-tuned versions of KTM’s current prototype, and the reason Bastianini was excluded remains unclear.

The 2027 technical reset is prompting widespread changes across the grid, making it difficult for riders changing teams to access early development running. Bastianini’s concern is that those who miss the limited chances to sample Pirelli’s new compounds will begin the new era with less preparation than their rivals. The Valencia test is now set to provide the first taste for several leading riders, despite Bastianini’s call for an earlier, more inclusive opportunity.