Marquez fastest on day one in Sepang
Marc Marquez – fastest even with bum shoulder |
Focusing on quality rather than quantity, Marc Marquez quickly got back up to speed at the Sepang Test as he set the fastest time of the day.
With a dry start to proceedings at the Sepang International Circuit, the Repsol Honda Team were eager to get underway and Marc Marquez soon entered the track. Over the winter, a number of new parts and modifications have been made to the RC213V to ensure it will once again be challenging for the MotoGP World Championship. The conditions gave Marquez a chance to understand both the 2019 Honda RC213V and the condition of his left shoulder.
3rd quick Vinales |
Despite only riding until just before 14:00 Local Time, Marquez was able to set a 1’59.621 and move to the top of the time sheets. By ending early, Marquez was able to undergo further physiotherapy on his shoulder and rest ahead of day two at the Sepang Test. Marquez concluded the day as the fastest rider, 0.259s ahead of second placed Rins.
Marc Marquez 93
“I’m very happy to ride again after a long winter, but I was expecting to be better than I was. I still don’t have full power, for one or two laps it’s ok but I had to change my riding style to compensate. We stopped early to save myself for the rest of the test, there are still two days and we will see what the feeling is. Honda have been working really hard this winter and we tried a few things, but the list is really big. We’re trying the most important things first. The bike is already at a good point, but there's always more to try before Qatar."
Day 1 Test Times
Pos. | Rider | Num | Nation | Team | Constructor | Time/Gap |
1 | Marquez Marc | 93 | SPA | Repsol Honda Team | Honda | 1'59.621 |
2 | Rins Alex | 42 | SPA | Team Suzuki Ecstar | Suzuki | 0.259 |
3 | Vinales Maverick | 12 | SPA | Yamaha Factory Racing | Yamaha | 0.316 |
4 | Rabat Tito | 53 | SPA | Reale Avintia Racing | Ducati | 0.362 |
5 | Petrucci Danilo | 9 | ITA | Ducati Team | Ducati | 0.430 |
6 | Rossi Valentino | 46 | ITA | Yamaha Factory Racing | Yamaha | 0.433 |
7 | Nakagami Takaaki | 30 | JPN | LCR Honda | Honda | 0.537 |
8 | Dovizioso Andrea | 4 | ITA | Ducati Team | Ducati | 0.576 |
9 | Bradl Stefan | 6 | GER | HRC Test Team | Honda | 0.593 |
10 | Espargaro Pol | 44 | SPA | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | KTM | 0.692 |
11 | Miller Jack | 43 | AUS | Alma Pramac Racing | Ducati | 0.762 |
12 | Morbidelli Franco | 21 | ITA | Petronas Yamaha SRT | Yamaha | 0.839 |
13 | Espargaro Aleix | 41 | SPA | Aprilia Racing Team Gresini | Aprilia | 0.981 |
14 | Crutchlow Cal | 35 | GBR | LCR Honda | Honda | 1.060 |
15 | Bagnaia Francesco | 63 | ITA | Alma Pramac Racing | Ducati | 1.073 |
16 | Oliveira Miguel | 88 | POR | Red Bull KTM Tech 3 | KTM | 1.281 |
17 | TEST 1 Yamaha | 31 | JPN | Yamaha Test Team | Yamaha | 1.344 |
18 | Quartararo Fabio | 20 | FRA | Petronas Yamaha SRT | Yamaha | 1.364 |
19 | Kallio Mika | 36 | FIN | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | KTM | 1.433 |
20 | Zarco Johann | 5 | FRA | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | KTM | 1.500 |