The private tests for the World Superbike Championship in Portimao began an event that drew numerous MotoGP riders. One of them was Marc Márquez, who rode a Ducati Panigale V4 S covered in the newly unveiled Gresini livery to make his debut in the team's colours. Prior to next week's MotoGP tests in Sepang, this outing was vital practice after the winter break, even though Márquez's name wasn't on the official timing table, which limited the details that could be retrieved. Aside from Márquez, other notable MotoGP figures who were present in Portimão included Álex Márquez, Francesco Bagnaia, Luca Marini, Enea Bastianini, Franco Morbidelli, and Marco Bezzecchi, as well as the iconic Valentino Rossi.
After a difficult and uncompetitive 2023 season with Honda, Marquez joined Gresini Ducati as a strategic move. A lot of speculation surrounding his transfer to Gresini Ducati began when he announced in October that he would be leaving HRC a full year early. His November test ride of the Ducati at Valencia raised up the excitement.
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From February 6th through the 8th, the Sepang International Circuit will host the pre-season testing. Following that, two additional testing days are set to take place in Qatar on February 19th and 20th. And lastly, the new season will begin at Losail from March 8th to the 10th.
or ? We can’t take part really… pic.twitter.com/pN99YKZ4jA
— Gresini Racing (@GresiniRacing) January 29, 2024
MotoGP: Testing
The MotoGP season will begin in Malaysia as usual with the Shakedown, a testing event that takes place over three days (February 1-3) and is open only to test riders and rookies. Barring any unforeseen market shocks, Pedro Acosta is the sole exception among regular riders. Then, from February 6-8, the experienced riders will take to the Sepang track. Two weeks before the season starts, on February 19 and 20, the final days of winter testing will be held at the Losail circuit. The championship will kick off with the Qatar Grand Prix.
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The number of testing days will increase by one from the previous season, reaching nine for the entire calendar year. Extra testing time will be used to fine-tune a new front tyre specification that will likely debut in 2025. There will be 22 races in 18 different countries on the 2024 MotoGP schedule.
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