Marc Marquez leads the opening day of MotoGP testing in Buriram

MotoGP riders began the ThaiGP pre-season test at Chang International Circuit with new prototype motorcycles and technology. Factory Ducati rider Marc Marquez moved to the top of the timesheets late in the day without breaking the circuit record. Honda’s Somkiat Chantra completed 59 laps on his first day riding a MotoGP motorcycle at his home circuit.

The ThaiGP pre-season test ran on 12–13 February 2025 at Chang International Circuit in Buriram. The opening day gave every rider a full programme of testing ahead of the new season.

Fans filled the viewing areas to watch world-class teams test new technology and components that might not normally appear during a race weekend. The test helped teams select their bike specifications before the season began.

Ducati Lenovo's Marc Marquez moved to the top in the final five minutes of the opening test day, completing 81 laps and setting 1 minute 29.184 seconds. That remained outside teammate Francesco Bagnaia's previous-year record of 1 minute 28.700 seconds. Bagnaia ended the day eighth.

Gresini Racing’s Alex Marquez was second, 0.465 seconds behind his brother. Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing’s Franco Morbidelli was third, 0.499 seconds back, followed by Aprilia Racing’s Marco Bezzecchi in fourth (+0.610) and Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pedro Acosta in fifth (+0.720).

Honda showed encouraging development as Luca Marini finished the opening day sixth at 1 minute 29.928 seconds, 0.744 seconds off the lead. Castrol Honda LCR's Johann Zarco followed in seventh, 0.777 seconds behind. Monster Energy Yamaha's Fabio Quartararo was 13th at 1 minute 30.233 seconds, 1.049 seconds off the pace.

MotoGP rookies worked closely with their teams on bike setup. Idemitsu Honda LCR's Somkiat Chantra completed 59 laps in his first premier-class outing at home, finishing 20th with a time of 1 minute 31.208 seconds, 2.024 seconds off the lead. Gresini Racing's Fermin Aldeguer was the fastest rookie at 1 minute 30.373 seconds, followed by Trackhouse Racing's Ai Ogura at 1 minute 30.453 seconds.

The ThaiGP pre-season test continued on Thursday, 13 February, from 10:00 to 18:00. It was the final opportunity for teams to evaluate their 2025 bike specifications before PT Grand Prix of Thailand on 28 February–2 March at Chang International Circuit.