Sepang MotoGP Test Results - Saturday lap times (12pm)
Following a Shakedown test for rookies, test riders and concession manufacturer Aprilia, the Official Sepang MotoGP test - open to all 2022 competitors - began on Saturday morning.
Aleix Espargaro, who rode on the final day of the Shakedown, made a fast start, beating the best seen at the Shakedown and pulling almost 1.5s clear of team-mate Maverick Vinales in the opening hour.
By midday, Gresini Ducati's Enea Bastianini had slotted into second, ahead of the Suzukis of Alex Rins and Joan Mir. Reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo, who briefly rose to fourth, is now back to sixth, behind former team-mate Vinales.
Quartararo, whose main request is for more top speed from the new M1, seems to be settting a maximum of 327-328km/h, which is similar to the Suzukis but around 10km/h from the best seen so far.
The test is the first time that Marc Marquez has ridden a MotoGP bike since winning at Misano last October, after which he was sidelined by a repeat of his 2011 double-vision problems triggered by an enduro training accident.
The Repsol Honda rider suffered a small crash, also at around 11:30, but was reported as back in the garage and 'OK' by the team.
The Sepang test – which takes place from 10am to 6pm, followed by practice starts - concludes on Sunday evening…
*Rookie
| 2022 Official Sepang MotoGP Test - Saturday (12pm) | ||||
| Rider | Nat | Team | Time | |
| 1 | Aleix Espargaro | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) | 1m 58.371s |
| 2 | Enea Bastianini | ITA | Gresini Ducati (GP) | +0.267s |
| 3 | Alex Rins | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | +0.969s |
| 4 | Joan Mir | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | +1.044s |
| 5 | Maverick Vinales | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) | +1.055s |
| 6 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +1.296s |
| 7 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Pramac Ducati (GP) | +1.578s |
| 8 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP) | +1.656s |
| 9 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +1.741s |
| 10 | Pol Espargaro | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +1.831s |
| 11 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +1.840s |
| 12 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +1.879s |
| 13 | Cal Crutchlow | GBR | Yamaha Test Rider (YZR-M1) | +1.901s |
| 14 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +1.905s |
| 15 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP)* | +1.944s |
| 16 | Andrea Dovizioso | ITA | WithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1) | +1.971s |
| 17 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | KTM Tech3 (RC16)* | +2.176s |
| 18 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +2.276s |
| 19 | Alex Marquez | SPA | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +2.353s |
| 20 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Pramac Ducati (GP) | +2.403s |
| 21 | Jack Miller | AUS | Ducati Lenovo (GP) | +2.778s |
| 22 | Darryn Binder | RSA | WithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1)* | +3.034s |
| 23 | Sylvain Guintoli | FRA | Suzuki Test Rider (GSX-RR) | +3.085s |
| 24 | Remy Gardner | AUS | KTM Tech3 (RC16)* | +3.216s |
| 25 | Fabio Di Giannantonio | ITA | Gresini Ducati (GP)* | +3.383s |
| 26 | Luca Marini | ITA | Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP) | +7.880s |
Fastest Shakedown Time:
Maverick Vinales SPA Aprilia 1m 58.942s
Official Sepang MotoGP records:
Best lap:
Fabio Quartararo FRA Yamaha 1m 58.576s (2019)
Fastest race lap:
Valentino Rossi ITA Yamaha 1m 59.661s (2019)
Unofficial Sepang MotoGP record:
Danilo Petrucci ITA Ducati 1m 58.239s (2019 testing)
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
