MotoGP Mandalika Test: Espargaro edges out Quartararo in final times

Pol Espargaro was once again back at the top of the times as MotoGP preseason testing concluded in Indonesia on Sunday.

The Repsol Honda rider took charge on his 10th lap of the day, holding court for the duration of the day thanks to an impressive 1’31.060 effort.

Reigning MotoGP champion Fabio Quartararo was the closest challenger, two-tenths adrift in second place for the majority of the day before a last minute storm from the M1 split the two by a mere 0.014s. Saturday’s stunner from Mooney VR46’s Luca Marini claimed third in the combined standings and fastest Ducati honours.

Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro took third on the final day ahead of the factory Ducati of Pecco Bagnaia before a late charge from Monster Yamaha’s Franky Morbidelli scalped his countryman for position in the closing minutes. Suzuki’s Alex Rins once again making his presence felt in the top six. The RS-GP’s strong showing continued with Maverick Viñales taking seventh on the day, four-tenths from the weekend’s fastest and eighth overall with Marc Marquez claiming ninth in the combined times despite closing Sunday’s action in 14th having opted not to go for a time attack due to his shoulder fitness.

A late charge had boosted Brad Binder to tenth on the Red Bull KTM as the Mandalika test drew to an end before Morbidelli’s final minute arrival, the displacement leaving Pramac Ducati’s Johann Zarco rounding out the top ten as the South African dropped to 11th. Joan Mir was forced out of the final day due to a bout of food poisoning, the Suzuki rider holding 12th in the overall standings from his sick bed.

Enea Bastianini was another rider who’s Saturday showing proved strongest, the Gresini rider’s 1’31.599 sitting him 13th ahead of Alex Marquez and