The rain threatens to ruin the plans of the MotoGP teams arriving in Sepang for the two days of collective tests, even if all in all it went well, because in Malaysia it is anything but rare, but it still allowed a day and a half full-time work before starting to fall on the runway around 2 pm local time.
Before that moment, however, it must be said that on the track we began to get “serious”: in fact, there are six drivers who fell below the best pole of the Malaysian track, but even 17 who broke the 1 ‘wall. 59 “, proving how much the MotoGP level has risen since the premier class made a stop in Sepang for the last time in 2019.
MotoGP Sepang test: Ducati responds to Aprilia
If yesterday it was the Aprilia that made the big voice, today the response from the Ducatis arrived, even though the RS-GPs proved to be particularly competitive. Just think, in fact, that in the first six positions there are five Italian bikes.
Leading the standings before the rain arrives is Enea Bastianini, who has confirmed that he is particularly at ease on the Gresini Racing Desmosedici GP21. Now the new unofficial record of Sepang belongs to him in 1’58 “131. This time, however, the factory riders also shone, because below the previous record there are also Jorge Martin, third in 1’58” 243, and Pecco Bagnaia, fifth in 1’58 “265.
As mentioned, the two Aprilia also managed to slightly hone their performance yesterday, with Aleix Espargaro occupying the second position in 1’58 “157, just 26 thousandths behind. And Maverick Vinales who is fifth in 1’58” 261. Curiously, the rider from Roses did the same time to the thousandth of the only “intruder” in the first positions, namely Alex Rins, fourth with his Suzuki.
MotoGP Sepang test: Quartararo is approaching
It is therefore necessary to go down to the seventh position to find the world champion Fabio Quartararo and his Yamaha, even if it must be said that the transalpine rider has in turn taken a decisive step forward, given that he pays just 182 thousandths. Just like yesterday, however, his is the only M1 in the top positions: Andrea Dovizioso, Franco Morbidelli and Darryn Binder are all beyond 20th place.
MotoGP Sepang test: Marquez still best Honda rider
Now we come to the Hondas: even this morning the fastest was that of the returning Marc Marquez, author so far of the eighth time in 1’58 “332. Just like yesterday, Pol Espargaro does not seem to have too much difficulty in keeping up with the comparison. eight times world champion and occupies the tenth place in 1’58 “420. Johann Zarco’s Ducati also slipped between them. Luca Marini’s progress was also good, taking him to 11th place with the Ducati of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team.
You have to scroll down to 15th position to find the best of the KTMs, which this time is Miguel Oliveira’s. Moreover, yesterday both he and his partner Brad Binder did not hide that the RC16 2022 is still a little behind, even if the 1’58 “701 reported by the Portuguese is not a time to waste.
MotoGP Sepang test: Bezzecchi shines among the rookies
As far as rookies are concerned, Marco Bezzecchi has been the fastest again today, despite having also crashed at turn 15. The ducatista went under the 1’59 “wall for the first time with his 1’58 “710. Raul Fernandez, 19th and closely followed by Fabio Di Giannantonio, remains above this threshold. Also noteworthy were the other two crashes of the morning, which featured Joan Mir at turn 15 and Takaaki Nakagami at turn 8, in addition to that of Alex Marquez.
MotoGP Sepang test: the times of Day 2 at 2pm local time
Pos | Pilot | Motorcycle | Weather | Turns |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Enea Bastianini | Ducati | 1’58 “131 | 25 |
2 | Aleix Espargaro | Aprilia | 1’58 “157 | 35 |
3 | Jorge Martin | Ducati | 1’58 “243 | 23 |
4 | Alex Rins | Suzuki | 1’58 “261 | 37 |
5 | Maverick Vinales | Aprilia | 1’58 “261 | 34 |
6 | Pecco Bagnaia | Ducati | 1’58 “265 | 30 |
7 | Fabio Quartararo | Yamaha | 1’58 “313 | 42 |
8 | Marc Marquez | Honda | 1’58 “332 | 39 |
9 | Johann Zarco | Ducati | 1’58 “413 | 31 |
10 | Pol Espargaro | Honda | 1’58 “420 | 38 |
11 | Luca Marini | Ducati | 1’58 “430 | 24 |
12 | Joan Mir | Suzuki | 1’58 “529 | 35 |
13 | Takaaki Nakagami | Honda | 1’58 “607 | 29 |
14 | Jack Miller | Ducati | 1’58 “645 | 31 |
15 | Miguel Oliveira | KTM | 1’58 “701 | 32 |
16 | Marco Bezzecchi | Ducati | 1’58 “710 | 28 |
17 | Alex Marquez | Honda | 1’58 “800 | 41 |
18 | Brad Binder | KTM | 1’59 “016 | 31 |
19 | Raul Fernandez | KTM | 1’59 “180 | 19 |
20 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | Ducati | 1’59 “197 | 24 |
21 | Cal Crutchlow | Yamaha | 1’59 “262 | 31 |
22 | Andrea Dovizioso | Yamaha | 1’59 “284 | 38 |
23 | Remy Gardner | KTM | 1’59 “348 | 35 |
24 | Franco Morbidelli | Yamaha | 1’59 “365 | 35 |
25 | Darryn Binder | Yamaha | 1’59 “857 | 27 |
26 | Sylvain Guintoli | Suzuki | 1’59 “996 | 29 |
27 | Takuya Tsuda | Suzuki | 2’05 “678 | 4 |
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