Pol Espargaro and KTM were reported to be fastest on the opening day of the private 850cc MotoGP test at Jerez, where rain severely affected the schedule. Nicolo Bulega was second on the Ducati, 0.798 seconds behind Espargaro.

The wet conditions left the riders with little opportunity to follow a normal testing programme. Lorenzo Savadori took third for Aprilia, 2.3 seconds away from the leading time. It was his first appearance since his RS-GP test-rider agreement was extended.

Ducati development rider Michele Pirro added both Superbike and 850cc machinery to the day’s work. Iker Lecuona, this season’s WorldSBK runner-up behind team-mate Bulega, stayed out of the opening session in the hope that Thursday would bring more suitable conditions.

Jerez is the final private running before Pirelli makes its official MotoGP debut at Valencia on 1 December. The Valencia test is expected to bring out the 2027 grid and use official timing, with Bulega identified as a future VR46 Ducati rider for 2027. This year’s MotoGP campaign will then finish later in the month with successive rounds at Portimao and Valencia.