Riders hoping for good weather for their switch to new bikes for the test are led by Jorge Lorenzo, due to change his Ducati colours for Repsol for his first taste of a MotoGP Honda.

New KTM riders also will be getting a first taste: Johann Zarco in the Red Bull factory team; and Tech 3 rider Hafizh Syahrin making the switch from Yamaha, alongside class rookie Miguel Oliveira.

Zarco, Australian MotoGP 2018

Franco Morbidelli will be trying the Yamaha for the first time after his debut Honda season; rookie Petronas team-mate Fabio Quartararo with him.

Moto2 champion Pecco Bagnaia gets his first taste of the Pramac Ducati GP18 he will ride next year; and current Pramac riders Danilo Petrucci and Jack Miller trying their upgraded machines.

And Andrea Iannone will be trying out his new Aprilia.

Over at Suzuki however, it was surprisingly revealed today, it will not be Joan Mir’s first outing on the GSX-RR. The ex-Moto3 champion had a secret outing to Motegi in Japan after the Malaysian GP two weekends ago, for a shakedown. It was as much, revealed team boss Davide Brivio, to get his riding position right as anything else.

Iannone, French MotoGP 2018

By Michael Scott

Photos GnG