Held on March 31 and April 1 at the Bugatti Circuit, the test took place in cold and tricky track conditions, giving the 13 Honda-powered teams an opportunity to prepare for the opening round of the season.
For the two-time world champions, this test was especially important to integrate the team new mechanics and a third rider, who will join Alan Techer and Corentin Perolari on the #5 Honda CBR1000RR-R Fireblade SP fitted with Bridgestone tyres.
Scottish rider John McPhee already brings endurance experience, having competed in last year’s 8 Hours of Spa with Tati Team AVA6 Racing. He is also very familiar with the Honda and adds strong experience from Moto2 and Moto3 World Championship, Supersport World Championship and the British Superbike Championship.
On track, the team showed competitive pace from the start. On Day 1, they set the fourth fastest time with a 1:36.276. On Day 2, the riders continued to improve their lap times, confirming both the performance and consistency of the #5 Honda. At the end of the test, the team recorded a best time of 1:34.898, finishing in second place.
This is a promising result that validates the work done over the winter and boosts confidence ahead of the 24 Heures Motos.
Having already won the 24 Heures Motos in 2018, 2020, and 2023, F.C.C. TSR Honda France heads into the new season determined to fight for a third world title.
Tati Team AVA6 Racing also completed a highly productive two-day test, with a strong focus on race pace.
With new riders joining Hugo Clère and Martin Renaudin, both Mike Di Meglio, who brings extensive Honda experience after six seasons with F.C.C. TSR Honda France and Isaac Viñales, the team quickly adapted to the latest technical developments introduced by the team.
The sessions allowed Tati Team AVA6 Racing to gather valuable data, with a clear objective: to maintain strong performance and fight for top results throughout the season.
Another Honda-powered team in the EWC class, Mana-Au Competition, also took part in the test with a renewed lineup. Marco Fetz and Max Schmidt are joined this season by Killian Aebi and Noan Vasta, forming a fresh and motivated squad.
In the Superstock class, 2025 runner-up DAFY-KAEDEAR-RAC41-HONDA posted the fourth-fastest time in its category with a 1:37.427. The team enters the new season with a largely unchanged lineup, Kevin Manfredi, Takeshi Ishizuka and Diego Poncet will be joined by James Westmoreland as the fourth rider.
After finishing second in the championship for the past two seasons, the #41 Honda squad has a clear goal for 2026: fight for the title.
TRT27 AZ MOTO set the sixth fastest time with a 1:38.42. The Honda #27 lineup features Thomas Ward, Thomas Oliver, Eemeli Lahti and Maiku Watanuki.
Meanwhile, National Motos Honda FMA is set to defend its title with an updated four-rider lineup on the #55 Honda. Austrian rider Philipp Steinmayr joins Valentin Suchet, Guillaume Raymond and Johan Nigon.
All Honda teams are now fully focused on the opening round of the 2026 EWC season, the prestigious 24 Heures Motos, which will start at 3:00 PM local time on Saturday, April 18, and finish at 3:00 PM on Sunday, April 19.
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