Two stories are emerging after the first two days of MotoGP testing at Sepang. First, rookie Marc Marquez is every bit as fast, and perhaps even faster, that expected. Second, Valentino Rossi is very comfortable back at Yamaha, and already looks like he will be in the mix at the front this year.
Sepang always has dicey weather, and this year is no different as rain interrupted dry track time. The test concludes tomorrow. Here are the fastest lap times after the first two days:
| Pos | Rider | Team |
Fastest lap |
| 1 | PEDROSA, Dani | Repsol Honda Team |
2:00.549 |
| 2 | LORENZO, Jorge | Yamaha Factory Racing |
2:00.568 |
| 3 | MARQUEZ, Marc | Repsol Honda Team |
2:00.803 |
| 4 | ROSSI, Valentino | Yamaha Factory Racing |
2:01.038 |
| 5 | CRUTCHLOW, Cal | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 |
2:01.311 |
| 6 | BRADL, Stefan | LCR Honda MotoGP |
2:01.369 |
| 7 | BAUTISTA, Alvaro | Go & Fun Honda Gresini |
2:01.729 |
| 8 | SMITH, Bradley | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 |
2:01.931 |
| 9 | HAYDEN, Nicky | Ducati Team |
2:02.110 |
| 10 | DOVIZIOSO, Andrea | Ducati Team |
2:02.379 |
| 11 | AKIYOSHI, Kosuke | HRC Test Team |
2:02.526 |
| 12 | NAKASUGA, Katsayuki | Yamaha Factory |
2:02.701 |
| 13 | SPIES, Ben | Ignite Pramac Racing Team |
2:03.002 |
| 14 | YOSHIKAWA, Wataru | Yamaha Factory |
2:03.156 |
| 15 | IANNONE, Andrea | Energy T.I. Pramac Racing Team |
2:03.169 |
3 distinct groups. Lorenzo, Pedrosa and Marquez in the 2:00s
Rossi, Crutchlow, Bradl, Smith and Bautista in the 2:01 s
3 Ducatis and 2 unknowns in the 2:02s
I imagine that is pretty much what you,ll see every Sunday…the aliens and Marquez battling for podium spots,
Rossi and followers in the second group trying to be first not to make the podium
The 3 Ducatis trying to finish ahead of unknowns and CRTs
I am really excted about 2013 season, I see Marquez as a very ambicious and agressive rider that will bring excitment and controversy to every race. An my hero Rossi back in the mix!! along with the usual suspects of Pedrosa and Lorenzo. Three spaniards in the top 3!!
Well all this is great, but I do not see the first FIM WSB listed (Phillip Island)as being shown on SPEED. Is MOTO-GP and WSB going to be shown as usual?
thanks
Randy
Let’s everyone not forget that Spies is recovering from difficult shoulder surgery. I read in an interview somewhere that he’s like 80% back in form with cardio on like 60% strength. That’s quite a bit. He’ll be a better show at the next test, I’m guessing. I’m hoping!
on that bike it would take 200% strength and 300% cardio and some unknown percent of magic
Well, Rossi is only 0.12 seconds off Lorenzo on the final day. That is not the same as being that close in a race but it is looking like we may have 4 aliens again with Marquez playing the Casey Stoner roll. I hope Marquez rides like Stoner but without the constant whining.
Who knows, the factories and riders may make up for the constant stupidity of the FIM and provide a good show this year. Odds are against it since we still have stupidly small gas tanks and electronics overriding the riders but we can hope.
Goose
Interesting results, even if it’s only the 1st test. If Nicky stays ahead of Dovi through the 1st few races then maybe it will boost his value and attract offers from other teams.
Rossi has vindicated himself well too. If he can close within a couple more 10th’s then he should be very competitive at race distance.
Come on Edwards!…..HA!
I agree Vrooom.
What a bummer about Spies- shesh! I would love to see him up there but that simply aint gonna happen on a Duc, regardless of the new owners (Audi/VWG), or at least not for roughly the next 4 years.
6 riders within 1 second of the fastest bodes well for the season. Marquez is looking fast already as well. Disappointing performance for Spies, he’s apparently not back, yet. Ducati is still down as well, too bad, I always like Dovi.