Extra, from a press launch issued by Dorna:
#SepangTest: Rivalries renewed as Bagnaia heads Martin on blistering ultimate day
The 1:56 membership is born because the reigning World Champion lays down the gauntlet and the tempo hots up
Thursday, 08 February 2024
Ducati Lenovo Group’s Francesco Bagnaia claimed the bragging rights on the ultimate day of the Sepang Check, and in some fashion too, obliterating the outright lap document. The reigning World Champion fired in a 1:56.682 throughout a blistering opening hour of motion to higher 2023 rival Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), as final yr’s gripping rivalry was renewed early in 2024.
Having completed quickest yesterday, Enea Bastianini (Ducati Lenovo Group) was compelled to accept third however as soon as once more proved he’s again to his greatest – one thing his crew boss, Davide Tardozzi, additionally needed to emphasize. Fourth and the ultimate rider to have damaged new floor by posting a 1:56.938 was Gresini Racing’s Alex Marquez.
Ducati Lenovo, Prima Pramac, Pertamina Enduro VR46 & Gresini
There have been but extra causes to smile down at Ducati with their three 2024 machines occupying the highest three locations, and 6 of their seven full-time riders sitting within the high eight.
Marc Marquez threw some tender rubber at his Gresini Racing machine on Thursday and he closed out the check inside touching distance of the highest spots. A 1:57.270 sees the #93 simply over half a second behind Bagnaia, however Marquez was nonetheless concentrating on “laps, laps, laps” to get to know the bike.
Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Group’s Fabio Di Giannantonio was eighth over one lap, however his tempo was nothing in need of phenomenal. 9 riders did Dash simulations at the moment and Diggia was the quickest of the lot, forward of Bastianini and Martin. When it comes to the simulations, fifth of the 9 Ducati riders, and solely a few seconds away, got here Marc Marquez.
In the meantime, Marco Bezzecchi has had some struggles in Sepang. A 3rd crash in three days wasn’t splendid as he was simply unable to enhance on his lap from yesterday and, consequently, completed fifteenth on the mixed standings. However it’s testing but… and the Rins Cup rolls on to Qatar!
Aprilia & Trackhouse Racing
There have been headlines made off-track on Thursday morning with a brand new signing for the Trackhouse Racing squad – and it’s a well-known face as Davide Brivio returns to the paddock to take the reigns on the American crew.
Nonetheless, it was one other day of two halves for Aprilia. On one facet, Aleix Espargaro hailed it “the very best check” he’s ever had with the Noale manufacturing unit, and you may perceive why. The #41 claimed the ultimate spot inside the highest after punching in a 1:57.091, and his tempo wasn’t dangerous both. He was fourth of the Dash simulations and solely a second away from 2023’s Dash King, Martin.
In the meantime on the opposite facet, after complaining of an absence of rear grip yesterday, no many in-roads had been made at the moment. Maverick Viñales closed out the three days in twelfth and is on the lookout for extra, while Miguel Oliveira (Trackhouse Racing) was 18th. Nonetheless, there are two days left in Qatar.
Purple Bull KTM & Purple Bull GASGAS Tech3
One other day had been all the headlines popping out of the Austrian camp and all the way down to the outstanding efforts of Pedro Acosta. Though Brad Binder (Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing facility Racing) completed forward of him on the mixed standings, Acosta closed the hole down to only 0.058 seconds to the orange military’s star man.
The rookie’s Dash simulation can also be worthy of a point out. Quicker over 9 laps than Bagnaia and fewer than a second adrift of the extremely skilled Marc Marquez and Aleix Espargaro. A reminder: at the moment was simply day seven on a MotoGP
machine.
Aussie Jack Miller (Purple Bull KTM Manufacturing facility Racing) rounds out the three days 1.1 seconds adrift of high spot in 14th, while there’s work to do for Augusto Fernandez (Purple Bull GASGAS Tech3) who completed twenty first and over two seconds behind.
Repsol Honda & CASTROL/IDEMITSU Honda LCR
Repsol Honda’s Joan Mir closed out the Sepang Check inside the highest ten after going underneath the pole place lap from final yr – constructive indicators for the Japanese manufacturing unit. However regardless of Mir’s 1.1 second enchancment over one lap, he needed to emphasize the necessity for additional work over an extended distance. Takaaki Nakagami (IDEMITSU Honda LCR) fired in a 1:57.765 to finish thirteenth, forward of Johann Zarco and Luca Marini in seventeenth and nineteenth, however Marini was additionally assured of extra to come back within the Qatar Check.
Monster Power Yamaha
There are clear indicators of progress at Yamaha too, however one search stays: that of one-lap tempo. It’s one thing already talked about on Day 2 and the mission continued, and can proceed in Qatar.
On the timesheets, Fabio Quartararo (Monster Power Yamaha MotoGP) was eleventh, hoping for an additional step subsequent day trip in Qatar, and Alex Rins was sixteenth and 1.1 seconds away from Bagnaia’s record-breaking lap.
That’s official a wrap on the Sepang Check! Be sure you be a part of us on motogp.com to debrief all of the motion, after which we’re on the street to Lusail Worldwide Circuit in Qatar for 2 extra days of testing in per week and a half. Be part of us then for extra!
The put up MotoGP: Bagnaia Greatest As Testing Concludes In Sepang appeared first on Roadracing World Journal | Motorbike Using, Racing & Tech Information.
