Pirelli is getting ready for a big change in MotoGP. In 2027, the Italian company will replace Michelin as the official tyre supplier for the MotoGP class. Before that happens, Pirelli wants to test its new tyres with full-time MotoGP riders around the middle of next season.

So far, no regular MotoGP rider has tried Pirelli’s new tyres. This is because the tyres are being designed for the new 850cc bikes that will arrive in 2027. These bikes will be slower and lighter than the current 1000cc machines.

Pirelli carried out its first MotoGP tyre test in September at Misano, but only test riders took part. Every manufacturer sent a test rider. For Yamaha it was Augusto Fernandez, for Honda it was Takaaki Nakagami, Lorenzo Savadori rode for Aprilia, Dani Pedrosa tested for KTM, and Michele Pirro represented Ducati.

The riders used 2025 bikes, but with several changes. Ride-height devices were turned off, and the aerodynamics were reduced. This helped the bikes behave more like the future 850cc MotoGP machines.

However, Pirelli says it cannot give tyres to regular MotoGP riders until around the middle of the 2026 season. Development work is still ongoing at Pirelli’s test centre, and the company needs more time to collect data.

Pirelli motorsport director Giorgio Barbier said the first proper test with full-time riders should happen halfway through the calendar. He explained that it is very important for Pirelli to work with the new 850cc bikes and with the riders who will race in 2027. Barbier made these comments in an interview with Motorsport.com.

While there are no official dates announced, tests are expected to take place in June and September. Brno and Misano are the most likely circuits, as both are suitable for testing and are already used by MotoGP teams.

One major problem is that many riders may change teams in 2027. MotoGP contracts usually last two years, and new technical rules often cause big changes on the grid.

This means a rider could test Pirelli tyres with one manufacturer in 2026, but race for a different team the following year.

“That’s the main problem,” Barbier admitted in an interview with motorsport.com. Teams may have the new bikes ready, but they may not yet know who their riders will be.

However, KTM has already taken the first step. Earlier this month, Pol Espargaro tested KTM’s new 850cc prototype with Pirelli tyres at Jerez.