The first in-season test of the 2024 MotoGP campaign took place at Jerez, spanning an eight-hour session. Under favorable conditions, VR46 Ducati rider Di Giannantonio set the pace, with Maverick Vinales in pursuit on the factory Aprilia. Pramac’s Franco Morbidelli secured the third spot, followed by Spanish GP victor Francesco Bagnaia on the factory Ducati, with Yamaha’s Alex Rins trailing in 14th position as the team introduced its new M1.
The test commenced at 10 am local time with Marc Marquez leading the initial hour with a time of 1m36.826s aboard his Gresini machine. Despite not piloting a factory-spec Ducati, Marquez and Gresini utilized the session to refine the bike based on Marquez’s feedback from the previous rounds. Bagnaia seized the lead in the second hour, but Di Giannantonio ultimately clinched the top spot with a 1m36.405s lap, remaining unchallenged until the end.
Vinales, despite encountering issues with his bike from the Spanish GP, was the closest contender, experimenting with various new components. He logged 80 laps compared to Di Giannantonio’s 70, while Morbidelli completed a substantial 82 laps. Bagnaia secured fourth place, with Marquez trailing in fifth, followed by Brad Binder for KTM and Aleix Espargaro for Aprilia.
Yamaha made waves with the unveiling of a significantly revamped bike featuring new aerodynamics, chassis, swingarm, and electronic settings. However, the team’s performance in the test was modest, with Rins finishing 14th and Quartararo in 18th. Honda also introduced a new bike concept, with Takaaki Nakagami leading the HRC contingent in 16th, and Joan Mir emerging as the top factory team Honda runner in 21st place.