MotoGP Sepang Test: Martin rises as RNF shines

Prima Pramac Ducati’s Jorge Martin topped the times on the second day at Sepang as the MotoGP standings shuffled.

The Spaniard’s 1’58.736 effort, set on his 13th of just 17 laps at the Sepang International Circuit, remained shy of Mooney VR46’s Marco Bezzecchi’s best of the test so far after heavy overnight rain meant a damp and slow start to proceedings. The Italian ultimately unable to challenge after an early spill on the GP22 at turn five.

Changeable weather continued to dominate day two with laps set in both wet and dry conditions. RNF Aprilia’s Miguel Oliveira, GasGas returnee Pol Espargaro and Monster Energy Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo locking out the top four, less than two tenths adrift, by the close of play.

Reigning champion Pecco Bagnaia was the first rider not under the 1’59 barrier as he completed Saturday’s running from fifth, RNF’s second rider Raul Fernandez seemingly feeling firmly at home on the RS-GP just 0.045s adrift of the Italian in sixth.

Red Bull KTM’s Jack Miller was the first out in damp conditions before ending the day sandwiched between the Aprilias of Maverick Viñales and Aleix Espargaro - who suffered his own heavy crash in the afternoon - at the edge of the top 20. Marc Marquez continued to analyse the Repsol Honda from the mid-pack in 13th while Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow returned to the track for the final two days.

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