Enea Bastianini believes every MotoGP rider should have had a mandatory chance to run Pirelli tyres before the Valencia test. The Tech3 rider, who will join Trackhouse Aprilia next year, is one of nine competitors whose first laps on the tyres for MotoGP’s 2027 era will come at the December post-season session.

The uneven preparation is largely the result of rider changes between teams. Pecco Bagnaia, Fabio di Giannantonio, Fabio Quartararo, Alex Marquez, Jorge Martin, Ai Ogura and Bastianini all missed Pirelli running for that reason. Rookies David Alonso and Dani Holgado already have race experience with the tyres from Moto2, while Nicolo Bulega has relevant mileage through his current role as Ducati’s test rider and his background in Superbike.

Manufacturers have not dealt with departing riders in exactly the same way. Joan Mir and Luca Marini rode Honda’s new 850 cc prototype at Brno in June, while Pedro Acosta took part in both KTM tests. Adapted 1000 cc motorcycles were also used at the Red Bull Ring, offering a possible middle ground: riders could learn the Pirelli tyres without being given direct access to 2027 machinery.

Bastianini tried to arrange that kind of opportunity with KTM, but permission was refused. He argued that a common test before Valencia would serve both riders and manufacturers by generating tyre feedback earlier. He does not expect the lack of preparation to decide the opening race, but believes the initial experience gap could have been narrowed.

A narrow window at Valencia

Valencia is expected to host a reduced programme of five official winter test days. Cool temperatures may cut the usable track time even further, making a single day a difficult basis for firm conclusions about Pirelli’s future role in MotoGP.

The 2027 rookies will receive two extra riding days at the Sepang Shakedown, adding to Bulega’s Pirelli mileage as well. MotoGP has used Michelin tyres since 2016, while Michelin will replace Pirelli as WorldSBK’s exclusive supplier from next season. The MotoGP switch therefore creates different levels of initial preparation as riders approach the 2027 era.