Sepang MotoGP Test Results - Saturday lap times (1pm)
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, continues to lead the way with a scorching 1m 58.371s, set on his 9th of 22 laps and close to the all-time unofficial lap record by Danilo Petrucci.
By midday, Gresini Ducati's Enea Bastianini had slotted into second, ahead of the Suzukis of Alex Rins and Joan Mir, with Pol Espargaro then putting the new Honda into fourth shortly afterwards.
Reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo has been pushed from fourth to ninth. The Frenchman, 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 at around 11:30, but was reported as 'OK' by the team and has jumped to sixth on his return to the track.
KTM's Brad Binder has also made substantial gains in the past hour.
The Sepang test – which takes place from 10am to 6pm, followed by practice starts - concludes on Sunday evening…
| 2022 Sepang MotoGP Test - Saturday (1pm) | |||||
| Pos | 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 | = | Pol Espargaro | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +0.982s |
| 5 | = | Joan Mir | SPA | Suzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR) | +1.044s |
| 6 | ^10 | Marc Marquez | SPA | Repsol Honda (RC213V) | +1.051s |
| 7 | ˅1 | Maverick Vinales | SPA | Aprilia Racing (RS-GP) | +1.055s |
| 8 | ˅1 | Johann Zarco | FRA | Pramac Ducati (GP) | +1.120s |
| 9 | ˅1 | Fabio Quartararo | FRA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +1.296s |
| 10 | ^2 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +1.401s |
| 11 | ˅2 | Jorge Martin | SPA | Pramac Ducati (GP) | +1.578s |
| 12 | ˅2 | Francesco Bagnaia | ITA | Ducati Lenovo (GP) | +1.656s |
| 13 | ^7 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +1.665s |
| 14 | ˅3 | Franco Morbidelli | ITA | Monster Yamaha (YZR-M1) | +1.736s |
| 15 | ^3 | Alex Marquez | SPA | LCR Honda (RC213V) | +1.743s |
| 16 | ˅3 | Marco Bezzecchi | ITA | Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP)* | +1.877s |
| 17 | ˅3 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | Red Bull KTM (RC16) | +1.879s |
| 18 | ˅3 | Cal Crutchlow | GBR | Yamaha Test Rider (YZR-M1) | +1.901s |
| 19 | ˅2 | Andrea Dovizioso | ITA | WithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1) | +1.971s |
| 20 | ˅1 | Raul Fernandez | SPA | KTM Tech3 (RC16)* | +2.176s |
| 21 | = | Jack Miller | AUS | Ducati Lenovo (GP) | +2.394s |
| 22 | ^3 | Fabio di Giannantonio | ITA | Gresini Ducati (GP)* | +2.686s |
| 23 | ˅1 | Darryn Binder | RSA | WithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1)* | +3.034s |
| 24 | ˅1 | Sylvain Guintoli | FRA | Suzuki Test Rider (GSX-RR) | +3.085s |
| 25 | ˅1 | Remy Gardner | AUS | KTM Tech3 (RC16)* | +3.216s |
| 26 | = | Luca Marini | ITA | Mooney VR46 Ducati (GP) | +7.880s |
*Rookie
Key:
^X Rider is X positions higher than previous hour.
= Rider is same position as previous hour.
˅X Rider is X positions lower than previous hour.
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.
