MotoGP Sepang Shakedown: Viñales leads Tuesday’s times

Maverick Viñales was quickest on Tuesday as the Aprilia rider joined the Sepang shakedown test due to concessions.

Viñales headed the times as the only rider under the two minute barrier, thanks to a 1’59.833 effort on his final of 49 laps, having led the way for the majority of the earlier session. Noale teammate Aleix Espargaro was absent from the running as the second of three days of initial testing competed at the Malaysian circuit but the Spaniard is expected to be present on Wednesday.

Ducati’s Michele Pirro sat second for the second day in a row running 2’00.565 pace, while Mooney VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi took over as leading rookie just under two tenths adrift.

Tech 3 KTM’s Raul Fernandez continued his impressive introduction to the premier class with a 2’00.819 best lap and a tally of 55 revolutions of the 5.5km layout despite temperatures well over 40℃. Suzuki test rider Sylvain Guintoli topping the total by one on his way to fifth in the standings.

Remy Gardner and Darryn Binder continued the education of their respective KTM and Yamaha machines with low 2’01’s, both improving on Monday’s fastest times with Gresini Racing’s Fabio Di Giannantonio forced to sit out due to a stomach upset.

Honda’s Stefan Bradl was back in action and with two bikes at his disposal, the 2022 RC213V and ’21-liveried Repsol, while Lorenzo Savadori and Yamaha’s test team - Kohta Nozane and Katsuyuki Nakasuga - completed the runners.

MotoGP Sepang Shakedown Test: Tuesday’s final times

Maverick Viñales Aprilia Racing 1’59.833 Michele Pirro Ducati Test Rider 2’00.565 Marco Bezzecchi Mooney VR46 Ducati 2’00.734 Raul Fernandez KTM Tech3 2’00.819 Sylvain Guintoli Suzuki Test Rider 2’01.102 Remy Gardner KTM Tech3 2’01.177 Darryn Binder WithU