KUALA LUMPUR – The 2023 MotoGP Sepang Official Test is back at the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) to kickstart the racing season.
Unlike last year’s two-day session, this year, fans can enjoy their favourite teams and riders hit the track for three days, from February 10 to 12. Fans can catch the riders on the track from 10am until 6pm.
Today, reigning MotoGP World Champion Francesco Bagnaia was quick to take charge of the timesheets for the Ducati Lenovo outfit, but by mid-day Prima Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin took over the top spot with a time of 1m 58.737s.
Ducati’s newcomer and former Gresini Racing rider Enea Bastianini finished in third.
Maverick Vinales was ahead in the timing sheets for Aprilia Racing in fourth as teammate Aleix Espargaro finished in fifth, with six-time world champion Marc Marquez placing his Repsol Honda bike in sixth.
Speaking to the media, Espargaro said the new bikes look promising with small but significant changes.
“We are trying a lot of new things in terms of aerodynamics and also other small things around the bike.
“Some of the changes are being tested here in Malaysia while the other changes will be tested in Portimao,” said the Spanish rider.
After the MotoGP Test here in Sepang, the teams will head to the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao, Portugal for the final test on March 11 and 12 before the season opener on March 27.
The Official Test this weekend comes after the Shakedown test that took place at SIC from February 5 to 7.
Only rookie rider from the 2023 season line-up Augusto Fernandez was eligible for both the Shakedown and Official test, while the team’s factory test riders took charge of the bikes for the Shakedown.
The current SIC track record for MotoGP is held by Jorge Martin, who set a time of 1m 57.790s for the best lap and 1m 59.634s for the fastest race lap. Both times were set during the 2022 Malaysian MotoGP. – The Vibes, February 10, 2023
