Sepang MotoGP Test Results - Saturday lap times (5pm)

Lap times as of 5pm during the opening day of the Official 2022 Sepang MotoGP test.
Aleix Espargaro , Sepang MotoGP tests, 2 February 2022
Aleix Espargaro , Sepang MotoGP tests, 2 February 2022
© Gold and Goose Photography

Following a Shakedown test for rookies, test riders and concession manufacturer Aprilia, the Official Sepang MotoGP test - open to all 2022 competitors - began on Saturday morning.

With one hour to go on day one, Aleix Espargaro (who rode on the final day of the Shakedown) continues to lead the way with a 1m 58.371s, set on his 9th of 29 laps and close to the all-time unofficial lap record by Danilo Petrucci.

However team-mate Maverick Vinales has now moved to third, place just behind Enea Bastianini on Gresini's GP21 Ducati. Alex Rins is the top Suzuki in fourth, with Marc Marquez moving ahead of team-mate Pol Espargaro to be the quickest Honda.

The test is the first time that Marc Marquez has ridden a MotoGP bike since winning at Misano last October, after which he was sidelined by a repeat of his 2011 double-vision problems triggered by an enduro training accident. The Repsol Honda rider suffered a small crash at around 11:30.

Reigning world champion Fabio Quartararo was fourth early in the day before sliding to tenth, just behind Yamaha test rider Cal Crutchlow.

The Frenchman, whose main request is for more top speed from the new M1, seems to be setting a consistent maximum of 327-328km/h, similar to the Suzukis.

The overall top speed so far is a 337.5km/h by Marc Marquez, with Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia next best on 336.4km/h, then Vinales on 335.4km/h for Aprilia. Mir has set 330.2km/h for Suzuki, matched by Raul Fernandez at KTM. Quartararo's peak is a 328.2km/h, tied with Crutchlow as the quickest Yamaha through the speed trap.

VR46's Luca Marini is having his first ride on the GP22 today.

The Sepang test – which takes place from 10am to 6pm, followed by practice starts - concludes on Sunday evening…

2022 Sepang MotoGP Test - Saturday (5pm)
Pos RiderNatTeamTime
1=Aleix EspargaroSPAAprilia Racing (RS-GP)1m 58.371s
2=Enea BastianiniITAGresini Ducati (GP)+0.267s
3^4Maverick VinalesSPAAprilia Racing (RS-GP)+0.731s
4˅1Alex RinsSPASuzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)+0.786s
5^1Marc MarquezSPARepsol Honda (RC213V)+0.953s
6˅2Pol EspargaroSPARepsol Honda (RC213V)+0.982s
7˅2Joan MirSPASuzuki Ecstar (GSX-RR)+1.044s
8=Johann ZarcoFRAPramac Ducati (GP)+1.120s
9=Cal CrutchlowGBRYamaha Test Rider (YZR-M1)+1.187s
10=Fabio QuartararoFRAMonster Yamaha (YZR-M1)+1.296s
11=Takaaki NakagamiJPNLCR Honda (RC213V)+1.401s
12^4Alex MarquezSPALCR Honda (RC213V)+1.542s
13˅1Miguel OliveiraPORRed Bull KTM (RC16)+1.574s
14˅1Jorge MartinSPAPramac Ducati (GP)+1.578s
15˅1Francesco BagnaiaITADucati Lenovo (GP)+1.656s
16˅1Brad BinderRSARed Bull KTM (RC16)+1.665s
17= Franco MorbidelliITAMonster Yamaha (YZR-M1)+1.736s
18=Marco BezzecchiITAMooney VR46 Ducati (GP)*+1.877s
19^2Jack MillerAUSDucati Lenovo (GP)+1.887s
20˅1Andrea DoviziosoITAWithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1)+1.971s
21˅1Raul FernandezSPAKTM Tech3 (RC16)*+2.045s
22=Remy GardnerAUSKTM Tech3 (RC16)*+2.415s
23^3Luca MariniITAMooney VR46 Ducati (GP)+2.640s
24˅1Fabio di GiannantonioITAGresini Ducati (GP)*+2.686s
25=Sylvain GuintoliFRASuzuki Test Rider (GSX-RR)+3.019s
26˅2Darryn BinderRSAWithU Yamaha RNF (YZR-M1)*+3.034s
27=Lorenzo SavadoriITAAprilia Test Rider (RS-GP)+6.014s


*Rookie

Key:
^X Rider is X positions higher than previous hour.
= Rider is same position as previous hour.
˅X Rider is X positions lower than previous hour.

Fastest Shakedown Time:
Maverick Vinales SPA Aprilia 1m 58.942s

Official Sepang MotoGP records:
Best lap:
Fabio Quartararo
FRA Yamaha 1m 58.576s (2019)
Fastest race lap:
Valentino Rossi
ITA Yamaha 1m 59.661s (2019)

Unofficial Sepang MotoGP record:
Danilo Petrucci
ITA Ducati 1m 58.239s (2019 testing)

By Peter McLaren

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