Preparation for the 2027 MotoGP season is already raising a question of equal opportunity. The move to 850cc motorcycles and Pirelli tyres creates a new technical starting point, yet Fabio Di Giannantonio says the riders do not currently have the same chance to learn the package. His proposal is a guaranteed minimum amount of testing for the entire grid.

Di Giannantonio is moving from VR46 Ducati to Red Bull KTM and is one of nine riders who have not yet sampled the new motorcycle-and-tyre combination. The group also includes Pecco Bagnaia, Fabio Quartararo, Alex Marquez, Jorge Martin, Ai Ogura, Enea Bastianini, David Alonso and Dani Holgado. Manufacturers have so far largely selected riders who are staying with their teams for the two tests already held with the 850cc machines and Pirelli tyres.

Those nine riders will have to wait for the post-season Valencia test on 1 December. The official programme that follows contains only four days of testing at Sepang and Buriram before the 2027 season, making suitable weather an important factor as well. The five rookies—Nicolo Bulega, Izan Guevara, Senna Agius, David Alonso and Dani Holgado—will also be eligible for the two-day Sepang Shakedown on 29 and 30 January.

The Shakedown question

The Shakedown is normally available to established race riders when their manufacturer sits in concession rank D. All five manufacturers will instead begin 2027 in rank B, which leaves rookies and test riders eligible to participate. Enea Bastianini has already asked for an exception covering riders who have not yet tested the 850cc motorcycles with Pirelli tyres.

Di Giannantonio argues that the scale of the change means established experience will not automatically provide an advantage. Learning how the Pirelli tyres behave, understanding the new motorcycle and checking component reliability are, in his view, also safety issues. His preferred answer is a minimum as well as a maximum testing distance for every rider, giving the field a fairer level of preparation before the first race.