MotoGP: Martin fastest on day two at Sepang

The second day of pre-season testing had mixed conditions, with factories bringing out brand-new parts. Rain would cause havoc across the day, forcing teams to change their test plans.

Ducati

Jorge Martin would go fastest on day two, with the Pramac Ducati rider setting a lap time of 1:58.736. He would set this lap time around lunchtime, with most of the morning being run in damp conditions.

However, Martin crashed at turn 7 while testing a new aero package and had to take a trip to the medical centre. He would not return for the rest of Saturday’s action, with his hand needing to be strapped up. The Spaniard hopes to be on track tomorrow and does not expect to have any issues with his hand.

Francesco Bagnaia finished as the second Ducati on day two, with a brand-new fairing on both his bikes. Enea Bastianini ended his day in ninth position, with the Italian working on engine specs.

Bezzecchi would top the time sheets on day one, on his VR46 Ducati, and would end day two in 12^th. The Italian crashed on day two, destroying one of his motorcycles but would make it back on track later on. Ahead of Bezzecchi was his teammate, Luca Marini who starts his third season in the premier class. 

Fabio Di Giannantonio finished ahead of his teammate, with a lap time of 1:59.502 and will work with Frankie Carchedi this year. Alex Marquez would set 36 laps across the day and would continue getting used to the Ducati. He is already feeling comfortable on the motorcycle and was 17^th fastest on day two, not improving on his lap time from day one. 

Aprilia

Both factory riders had a tough second day of testing in Sepang, with no factory Aprilia in the top 10. Maverick Vinales finished the day down in 18^th position, ahead of his teammate. Aprilia would test an updated aero package, similar to what Lorenzo Savadori has tested in the Shakedown test.

Aleix Espargaro ended the day in 20^th position, suffering a crash at turn 12 early in the day. He would later head back out onto the Sepang circuit and would suffer a technical issue, forcing the Spaniard to the side-lines in the final hour.

RNF Aprilia had a great second day of testing, with Miguel Oliveira finishing the day as the top Aprilia. He ended second overall on day two just one-tenth off the fastest rider Martin, proving how strong Oliveira looks to be.

Raul Fernandez is on the pace straight away on the RNF Aprilia with the Spaniard setting 35 laps. He would end the day in sixth position and is looking strong on the RNF Aprilia after two days at Sepang.

Yamaha

Fabio Quartararo was one of the few riders who broke the 1:58 barrier, with the Frenchman finishing fourth on day two. He would continue to test aero packages with the 2021 World Champion continuing to use the new package. He would set the third fastest speed of the day, behind the Ducati. 

Franco Morbidelli would briefly test the older aero package, allowing the Japanese manufacturer to have a back-to-back comparison. He would set a total of 44 laps throughout the day.

Honda

HRC would continue to have a tough preseason, with Marc Marquez finishing the day in 13^th position. The eight-time World Champion would continue to test his four motorcycles, with back-to-back comparisons on Chassis.

The rain would interrupt Honda’s test plan, with very few dry laps being set throughout the day. Joan Mir ended his day in 16^th position with the Spaniard continuing the change from Suzuki. Mir would test the same chassis as Marc Marquez, as Repsol Honda continues to try to find the missing piece to the puzzle.

Rins ended the day as the top Honda, finishing inside the top 10 for the first time in pre-season. He ended the day in eighth place, setting just 28 laps in the interrupted day of testing.

Takaaki Nakagami had a tough day, ending the session down in 22^nd position after the second day of running. The LCR rider did not manage to break into the 1:59 bracket and would also test two different chassis.

GASGAS

Pol Espargaro had a great day on his GASGAS Tech3 machine, finishing the day in a respectable third place. H would test a new chassis throughout the day and try a new aero package. Espargaro would make contact with reigning World Champion, Bagnaia resulting in two upset riders.

Augusto Fernandez finished his fifth day in Sepang, after testing at the earlier Shakedown test. He would spend the day becoming adjusted to his RC16, changing heights and would test a new seat and tail unit.

KTM

Brad Binder finished the day in 10^th, after testing a new aero package which was debuted by Dani Pedrosa in the Shakedown test. He would also test ducts on the lower side of his fairing and is looking for ways to get more corner speed.

Jack Miller was the first rider out on the circuit, on a slightly damp Sepang track. He would test new internal parts on his bike, which made his bike sound different compared to the rest of the RC16s.