MotoGP | Sepang Test Day 1: Aprilia double, official Ducatis back

IRTA Test Sepang MotoGP 2022 – The first day of IRTA MotoGP testing on the Sepang circuit in Malaysia recently ended.

The best performance was achieved by Aleix Espargarò, who on the Aprilia RS-GP stopped the clock at a time of 1:58,371, obtained on the ninth of the 42 laps made, for an Aprilia double given the second time of Maverick Vinales, trailing by just 13 thousandths.

Many new features on the track, KTM has adopted an aerodynamic solution with a double wing, new wings also for the Suzukis, while Ducati, Aprilia, Honda and Yamaha have both a new aerodynamic package and new engines.

The #WingletWatch is strong this year 💨

New aero everywhere 👀#SepangTest pic.twitter.com/MzQE4by90T

- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) February 5, 2022

Among the most awaited was certainly Marc Marquez, who returned to the track after problems due to double vision. For the #93 of the Repsol Honda Team, a double crash without consequences and a personal best lap of 1:59.287, which earned him the eighth time, 0.916s from the top.

And it feels so good to be back 😎#StealthMode | #SepangTest pic.twitter.com/7mjsEySuls

- Repsol Honda Team (@HRC_MotoGP) February 5, 2022

Alex Rins also did well, third with the Suzuki and the Ducatis of Enea Bastianini (Gresini Racing) and Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing), who finished in fourth and fifth position, ahead of the best Yamahas, that of reigning champion Fabio Quartararo, sixth and ahead of Joan Mir's Suzuki.

As mentioned, Marc Marquez is eighth, ahead of team-mate Pol Espargarò and the best of the rookies, our Marco Bezzecchi, Ducati Mooney VR46 Racing Team. The “Bez” is tenth at 1.097s from the Aprilia.

Yamaha tester Cal Crutchlow is eleventh, ahead of Takaaki Nakagami's Honda LCR and the KMs of rookie Raul Fernandez (Tech 3) and Brad Binder. Jorge Martin (Ducati Pramac) and Luca Marini (Ducati Mooney VR46 Racing Team) are in 17th and 18th place respectively.

Sepang Ducati Jack Miller Test Video

Bikes ✅
Engines ✅
Riders ✅
2022 starts! #SepangTest is ON!#ForzaDucati #DucatiLenovoTeam @jackmilleraus @PeccoBagnaia @MotoGP pic.twitter.com/jygl8fzqA8

- Ducati Corse (@ducaticorse) February 5, 2022

DIFFICULTY OFFICIAL DUCATI TEST SEPANG DAY 1

The official Ducatis of Francesco Bagnaia and Jack Miller are in difficulty. “Pecco” is nineteenth, 1.656s from the top, while the Australian is twenty-second. An uphill start, but there is time to recover and the performances of Zarco and Bastianini boost morale.

DIFFICULTIES FRANCO MORBIDELLI AND ANDREA DOVIZIOSO SEPANG TEST DAY 1

Also back are Franco Morbidelli, riding an official Yamaha and Andrea Dovizioso, riding the M1 Factory of Team WithU RNF. The Italian-Brazilian is 21st, while the Forlì native is 23rd with a delay from the Top of 1.736 and 1.971 respectively.

Andrea Dovizioso in action riding the Yamaha Factory of Team WithU RNF

It's the final hour of day 1 ⏱#rnfmotogpteam | #WithU | #WithUMotorsport | #allenergy | #MotoGP | # 2022Loading | #SepangTest pic.twitter.com/LNAPd3jTwz

— WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team (@rnfracingteam) February 5, 2022

MotoGP Rookies Chapter 2022

Bezzecchi was the best with the tenth time, followed by Raul Fernandez with the 13th time, Fabio Di Giannantonio with the 20th, Remy Gardner with the 24th and Darryn Binder with the 25th.

IRTA Test MotoGP Sepang Day 1 – The final times

Photo: (c)MotoGP.com