[PHOTOS] MotoGP Sepang Official Test: riders take new bikes out on track
This year’s testing see teams get three days of full test ahead of season opener in Portugal next month`
Updated 1 year ago · Published on 16 Feb 2023 1:21PM
Six-time world champion Marc Marquez on the Repsol Honda test bike. The Spanish rider places eleventh on the first day of testing. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, February 16, 2023
by Abd Razak Latif
KUALA LUMPUR – The Sepang International Circuit (SIC) welcomed the return of the world’s fastest motorcycles as the 2023 MotoGP Sepang Official Test kickstarted the season.
Held from February 10 to 12, the test took place for three days, unlike last year where riders only had two days to test out their new bikes at SIC.
Reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia switched his number 63 bike for the iconic number 1, only reserved for reigning world champions.
Open to eager two-wheel racing fans for free, the three-day testing saw the pitlane lights turn green from 10am to 6pm.
After the test here in Sepang, the teams and riders head to Portugal for the second round of testing at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimão on March 11 and 12 ahead of the season’s first race there on March 27.
With new liveries and new faces in the paddock, the Vibes photographer ABD Razak Latif captured the team’s first official outing at the 5.543km track. – The Vibes, February 16, 2023
2021 MotoGP world champion Fabio Quartararo leaving the pits on his Monster Energy Yamaha motorcycle. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, February 16, 2023Reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia seen with number 1 on his bike, which is only reserved for the previous season’s champion. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, February 16, 2023Quartararo’s teammate Franco Morbidelli from Italy testing the new Monster Energy Yamaha bike for the 2023 season. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, February 16, 2023Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin top the timing sheets for the last two days of testing and coming in second for the first day’s session. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, February 16, 2023Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing puts on his helmet at the pitlane. The Spanish rider came in ninth on the timing sheets for the last day of testing at SIC. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, February 16, 2023: Johann Zarco of France on Prima Pramac Racing’s 2023 bike. The testing session saw many teams test out new aero kits ahead of the next testing session in Portugal. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, February 16, 2023Tech3 Gasgas Factory Racing’s Augusto Fernandez will have his work cut out and he only managed to finish in the bottom half of the timing sheets during the three-day testing period. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, February 16, 2023Reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia (right) and 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo (left) testing their new bikes for the 2023 MotoGP season. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, February 16, 2023 Brad Binder of the Red Bull KTM Factory Racing bike. The South African racer will be sharing the pits with Australian racer Jack Miller. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, February 16, 2023The testing session at SIC sees rain fall on the second and third day as 2021 world champion Fabio Quartararo takes to the wet track to test his new bike on slippery conditions. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, February 16, 2023Mooney VR46 Racing Team’s Luca Marini pops a wheelie at SIC. The Italian placed his bike in fourth place on the final day of testing. – ABDUL RAZAK LATIF/The Vibes pic, February 16, 2023
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