MotoGP: Bezzecchi tops day one at Sepang test

Ducati would have a great day at the first official test of 2023, where all riders take to track at the Sepang circuit. It would be hot conditions throughout the day, with some rain throughout the day.

Ducati

Marco Bezzecchi has topped day one of testing, on his VR46 Ducati at the Sepang circuit. The VR46 rider finished the day with a 1:58.470 and would finish one second ahead of teammate Luca Marini.

The factory Ducati team would have a good first day of testing in Sepang, with Bastianini in third. He would end the day finishing third overall, two-tenths off the top spot, and ahead of his teammate.

Bagnaia ended the day in fifth place with a 1:58.857, he was just 0.387 off the top spot of the day. The Italian tested a brand-new fairing on the 2023 Ducati, which appears to be an evolution, not a revolution.

Pramac Ducati also tested the 2023 spec bike, with Jorge Martin in fourth place, after missing out on the factory seat in 2023. Teammate, Johann Zarco finished the day in seventh, as the Frenchman prepares himself for his seventh season, in the premier class.

Alex Marquez would move manufacturers for 2023, switching from Honda to Ducati. He ended his day in ninth place, behind his teammate Fabio Di Giannantonio onboard the Gresini Ducati.

Honda

Marc Marquez finished the day in 12th after testing four bikes throughout the session, as Honda try to improve on their 2022 season. He would have many new parts to test and ended the day as the top Honda.

He tested a radically different motorcycle on day one, with Marquez trying to find a better feel. Some of the new parts tested included a new swingarm, fairing and frame on day one.

Teammate Mir would spend his first day in 2023 with Honda in 17^th position. He would start the day on the 2022 bike, to get used to the new manufacturer. Mir would also use the brand new Akrapovic exhaust system, as Honda switches from SC-Project.

Alex Rins moves to the LCR Honda team, after the departure of Suzuki at the end of 2022. He finished the day in 18^th position, behind his previous teammate, Joan Mir. Takaaki Nakagami will continue with LCR Honda for 2023, and finished the test in 22^nd, testing two new engines.

Yamaha

Yamaha had a very positive day, with the Japanese manufacturer finding top speed in the inline 4. Fabio Quartararo finished the day in 11^th place, setting a total of 58 laps throughout the day.

Franco Morbidelli would have a good day, finishing the day in 10^th, ahead of his teammate. The Italian would test an updated aero package and is aiming to bounce back after two tough seasons.

Cal Crutchlow did not take to track today, after spending three days testing at the Shakedown test. However, test rider Katsuyuki Nakagami would test the 2023 bike and would end his day in 21^st.

Aprilia

Aprilia Racing had three bikes for both of their riders to test on day one, with two brand new 2023 spec bikes. They would test a brand new front aero package and would continue to develop the chassis and swing arm.

Maverick Vinales would end the day as the top Aprilia, finishing the day in second place as the Spaniard proves his pace in testing. Aleix Espargaro aims to continue his form from last season, as he would finish the day in a respectable sixth place.

RNF Racing would switch to the Italian manufacturer, after previously working with Yamaha. Miguel Oliveira ended his day in 14^th place, as the Portuguese rider continues to get used to the Aprilia. He would suffer a crash in the day in the final sector, and Oliveira would later return to track.

Raul Fernandez will also switch to RNF Aprilia for 2023, after a tough season onboard the Tech3 KTM. Fernandez finished the day in 15^th place, just 0.083 behind his teammate for the year.

KTM

Jack Miller had his first taste of the KTM in 2023, with the Australian switching from factory Ducati. He ended his day in 16^th place, as he continues to adjust to the new bike and surroundings.

Brad Binder will continue with the Red Bull KTM team and would end his first day of testing in 20^th. Binder would complete 60 laps throughout his day, as the South African would compare engine specs.

GASGAS

The GASGAS Factory Racing Tech3 team had both riders on track today, with rookie Augusto Fernandez finishing in 19^th. Fernandez will be the only rookie joining the premier class in 2023 and has had three days of testing at the Shakedown test.

Pol Espargaro makes the switch from Honda to the RC16, which he has developed previously. He ended the first day at Sepang in 20^th position, behind his rookie teammate, he would also test a new chassis throughout the test.