Sepang MotoGP Test 2022: Bastianini tops the timesheets with a new lap record in the first pre-season test in Sepang

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Enea Bastianini, who was impressive throughout 2021 with many impressive performances, topped the combined timesheets with a new lap record.

Ducati have won back-to-back constructors’ championships and will hope they can power one of the many talented riders onboard their bikes to their first riders’ title since Casey Stoner in 2007.

Marc Marquez made his return from a concussion injury which led to him experiencing double-vision, forcing him to miss the final two rounds of 2021.

Aprilia, who many tipped to struggle in 2022, showed impressive pace in Malaysia, however, pre-season testing must always be taken with a pinch of salt.

Day One – Saturday

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Aleix Espargaro topped the Day One timesheets with a 1:58.371 ahead of his Aprilia teammate Maverick Vinales. The Spanish duo completed 42 and 56 laps respectively across the day.

In third was Suzuki’s Alex Rins who set a 1:58.471 on his penultimate lap of the afternoon, meaning the top three on Day One were split by a tenth of a second exactly.

Bastianini was just short of being in the top three but his 23rd lap of the day was his fastest which was enough to see him in fourth.

Reigning champion Fabio Quartararo finished just behind his compatriot Johann Zarco in sixth, just over six-tenths from the summit.

The returning Marc Marquez finished the day in eighth, despite a crash at the final corner but thankfully walked away unscathed. Joan Mir finished ahead of his fellow Spaniard in seventh with Marquez’s Repsol Honda teammate, Pol Espargaro, finishing the day in ninth.

The Repsol Honda riders, riding new-spec machinery, came away from the test much happier than in previous years, with team boss Alberto Puig describing it as ‘one of our best tests.’

Rookie Marco Bezzecchi ended his first official MotoGP session in 10th ahead of the experienced and talented likes of Cal Crutchlow (11th), Miguel Oliveira (16th), Jorge Martin (17th) and title favourite Francesco Bagnaia who finished the day in 19th.

Full Day One Classification: A. Espargaro, Vinales, Rins, Bastianini, Zarco, Quartararo, Mir, M. Marquez, P. Espargaro, Bezzecchi, Crutchlow, Nakagami, Fernandez, B. Binder, A. Marquez, Oliveira, Martin, Marini, Bagnaia, Di Giannantonio, Morbidelli, Miller, Dovizioso, D. Binder, Guintoli, Savadori, Tsuda.

Day Two – Sunday

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The unpredictable Malaysian weather disrupted Day Two running, however, most paddock personnel used it as an excuse to go for a lunch break.

In the end, it was Bastianini who topped the Day Two timesheets with a blistering 1.58.131 which was enough to place him at the summit of the combined timings.

Aleix Espargaro ended Day Two in second but two-tenths faster than his quickest Day One time with 2021 Rookie of the Year Jorge Martin finishing the day in third.

Alex Rins’ best lap of the Sepang Test was a 1:58.261 which put him fourth on Day Two with his teammate Mir in 12th after setting a 1:58.529 lap time.

Vinales was again inside the top five and his impressive pace from the Shakedown Test carried over to the weekend.

Bagnaia’s pace significantly improved on Day Two as he ended the weekend in sixth with his best lap on Sunday being a 1:58.265. Meanwhile his Factory Ducati teammate Jack Miller could only find the pace for 14th.

Bezzecchi’s Sunday showing was not as strong as Saturday as he finished 16th, however, he was only three-tenths off Luca Marini in 11th. The Italian was the fastest rookie in both sessions, beating Raul Fernandez (19th), Fabio Di Giannantonio (20th), Remy Gardner (23rd) and Darryn Binder in 25th.

Full Day Two Classification: Bastianini, A.Espargaro, Martin, Rins, Vinales, Bagnaia, Quartararo, M. Marquez, Zarco, P. Espargaro, Marini, Mir, Nakagami, Miller, Oliveira, Bezzecchi, A. Marquez, B. Binder, Fernandez, Di Giannantonio, Crutchlow, Dovizioso, Gardner, Morbidelli, D. Binder, Guintoli, Tsuda.

What’s Next?

MotoGP makes the short trip to Indonesia for the second pre-season test which will take place around the Mandalika Circuit, a new addition to the calendar for 2022.

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