MotoGP Sepang Test: Martin tops ’22 Ducatis despite ‘struggling with grip’

While not the fastest Ducati at Sepang on Sunday, Jorge Martin was the fastest on the 22-spec MotoGP Desmosedici.

The Pramac rider won out over factory men Pecco Bagnaia and Jack Miller by claiming third in the combined standings at the close of two days testing in Malaysia. The times, however, were painstakingly close, just three-tenths covered the top 11 premier class machines down to Luca Marini on the Mooney VR46, with Miller half a second adrift of Enea Bastianini’s record breaker, in 14th.

“For sure I’m happy about today,” Martin said on Sunday. “We are still struggling a bit with the rear grip but anyway we did some improvements. We are trying to understand the setup of the bike because for sure something changed I think with the new engine - is a bit difficult to manage the power. We are trying with the setup, trying to put some weight on the rear and is working.

“When we had to try different setups I had some problems with some electronics and I couldn’t make a lot of laps, just 21 laps. It’s been a pity because I was feeling great with a good pace but we’re fighting in the top positions so happy and I hope we can continue the job in Mandalika and try to keep this progression.”

Discussing the testing schedule for next week’s three days in Indonesia, as the paddock ships out to the Mandalika Circuit on Lombok Island, Martin’s focus was split.

“I think it’s 50 per cent about the electronics and 50 per cent about the setup,” he confirmed. “I think in general the package is more competitive than last year but for sure for the moment it’s a bit worse. We need to understand and try to get faster but the bike is working well. We are already there so we have a big margin and I think we can fight for the top positions.

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