#850cc

Aprilia has become the final manufacturer to unveil its 850cc prototype for the 2027 season. The team remained at Jerez after the official test to carry out a private testing session, where test rider Lorenzo Savadori made the bike’s on-track debut.

Conditions were far from ideal, as rain left the circuit wet throughout the day. Despite this, Lorenzo Savadori completed several laps to gather the first data on the new machine.

Compared to the current 1000cc bike, the new prototype features significantly reduced aerodynamics, in line with the upcoming regulations. The bike also sounds noticeably different, with a less aggressive engine note. Nevertheless, the new Aprilia successfully completed its first laps on track.

Following the Czech GP 2026, an official test was held featuring the 850cc prototype bikes that will be introduced in 2027. In addition to the test riders, a selection of full-time Moto GP riders were also given the opportunity to ride the new machines.

Toprak Razgatlioglu, Luca Marini, Raul Fernandez, Joan Mir, Pedro Acosta, Fermin Aldeguer, Marco Bezzecchi and Marc Marquez were the riders chosen by their respective manufacturers to take part in the test.

While no official lap times were released, Marco Bezzecchi was allegedly the fastest rider, recording a lap time of around 1:54.0. This was approximately three seconds slower than the pole position time set by Ai Ogura earlier this year.

Pirelli, which will become the sole tyre supplier in Moto GP from 2027 onwards, expressed satisfaction with the test. Pirelli Motorsport Director Giorgio Barbier stated that the data gathered at Brno will play a key role in the continued development of the new tyres.

As Barbier explained.

"I would like to thank the riders and manufacturers for their cooperation and the enthusiasm shown in this important test, on our road towards Moto GP 2027. The running plans were demanding, with many solutions to evaluate, after a race weekend marked by high temperatures and only a few days before the next Grand Prix.

Following the private sessions that until now had only been held with test riders, in Brno we were finally able to gather useful information on the 2027 tyres for the future 850cc bikes, also from some contracted riders. All manufacturers completed the agreed programmes, with differentiated running plans for the two bikes, to maximise data collection, and some riders also carried out sprint race simulations and full race-distance runs.

The collaboration with riders and manufacturers continues to be very constructive and development is progressing as planned. The data collected today, together with those from the upcoming private tests, starting with the September test after the Austrian GP and the end-of-season test in Valencia, will be fundamental in defining the final characteristics of the 2027 range."

Right before the Italian GP 2026, the manufacturers gathered in Misano for a private test. The next years prototype were exclusively tested and among the riders was the current world sbk championship leader.

Nicolo Bulega did fifty laps and impressed with a lap time of 1:31;9. Bulega topped the session and was the only rider to be able to set a time under the 32 seconds mark.

Nicolo Bulega, who is currently dominating the world sbk season, was invited by Ducati to participate in a private test at Mugello. The primary objective of the test was for Bulega to evaluate Ducati’s new 850cc prototype, which is set to be introduced for the 2027 season and onwards.

Nicolo Bulega reportedly made a strong impression with his pace during the test session. Over the course of 20 laps, Bulega recorded a best time of 1:47.2, which was approximately four tenths of a second faster than the benchmark previously set by Ducati test rider Michele Pirro.

The test programme was ultimately shortened by one day due to adverse weather conditions, limiting the available track time for further development work.

Ahead of the European leg of the 2026 season, starting with the Spanish GP, Ducati carried out a private test at Misano with its 850cc prototype for the 2027 regulations.

Test rider Michele Pirro was in charge of putting the bike through its initial runs. According to General Manager Gigi Dall'Igna, the feedback from this first outing was encouraging. Dall’Igna also confirmed that Ducati’s development program will continue shortly, with another test scheduled at Mugello.

As Dall'Igna told.

"The first impression of the bike was very good. Everything worked well and the bike is ready for further testing. Next week we will have another test. He’ll have the full package we currently have: the new engine, the aerodynamics, without any auxiliary systems or ride-height devices… practically everything."

Aprilia remains the only manufacturer yet to put its 850cc prototype on track ahead of the 2027 regulation changes. However, Aprilia is deliberately taking a measured approach.

Aprilia CEO Massimo Rivola has emphasized that the lack of track testing is not a concern. Explaining that the development program is progressing according to plan and that the delay is strategic rather than reactive.

As Rivola explained.

"We’re definitely not in a hurry — and not because we don’t care about 2027. Simply put, we’re not in a rush. After the Jerez [race] week, in a private test, we’ll start running the 2027 bike on track, but it’s more of a hybrid prototype to gather some data on engine management and correlation with the dyno.

We’re not in a hurry partly because we don’t want to reveal our cards, but also because one of Aprilia’s strengths today is - let’s say it in a cool way - ‘time to market’. From the moment we have an idea to when we put it on track, we’re very fast. That’s one of the secrets of performance in anything: speed in decision-making and execution.

Every year, I’ve always said our best bike would be the next one, simply because I’ve always seen a growing company. And if the company grows, the result - our bike - will inevitably be better than the previous year."