MotoGP: Tomorrow we return to the track for the second Sepang test, absent Marquez

The MotoGP class riders will return to action tomorrow at the Sepang circuit. The three-day test will see the riders seeking confirmation of what was shown at the beginning of February, again on the Malaysian track.

This will be the last opportunity for the companies to film together and therefore compete with the competition. On the track Honda, Yamaha, Ducati and the new Open bikes such as the Yamaha FTR, the Honda RCV1000R and the Ducati Desmosedici.

The notable absentee from these tests will be reigning champion Marc Marquez, who will have to watch his rivals from home due to the fractured fibula he suffered while doing Dirt Track last Wednesday. Most likely he will also have to miss the tests at Phillip Island (where there will only be three teams, Yamaha Factory, Honda Repsol and Ducati), those wanted by Bridgestone to test the consumption and durability of the tyres, which last year forced the sole supplier of tires at a Flag to Flag race in the dry.

On the track, all eyes will therefore be on compatriots Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa and on our Valentino Rossi, in great shape at the beginning of February. The Pesaro native who this year is followed in the garage by Silvano Galbusera (Jeremy Burgess is no longer here) knows that this will be a fundamental year for the continuation of his career in the Top Class and is preparing as best he can.

Also worth keeping an eye on are the Hondas of Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl with the Honda SATs, as well as the Yamaha SATs of Pol Espargarò (2013 Moto2 champion) and Bradley Smith, both riding the M1s of Team Tech 3.

It will then be the last opportunity to "declare" your "status", Factory or Open. And everyone is waiting for Ducati's decision, which could opt for this last solution for all four bikes. This choice would allow the men in red to be able to carry out more tests and evolve the engines, which would be twelve against the five of the Factory. The deadline is set for Friday 28th and Ducati is seriously thinking about an Open discussion.

Continuing to talk about the Open, we expect the confirmation of the excellent Aleix Espargarò (Yamaha FTR), very fast in the tests at the beginning of the month. Insiders have repeatedly underlined that the 2013 CRT champion is a "false" Open, because it has very little of FTR. The fact remains that it went faster than the Honda RCV1000R, from which much more was expected, especially in the hands of Nicky Hayden.

Iodaracing and Team Paul Bird Motorsport are absent and will therefore have to wait for Qatar to get on track. Testing will begin at 10am local time and end at 18pm.