MotoGP: Stealth mode begins 2022 for Repsol Honda Team

Marc Marquez and Pol Espargaro were on track for the first time in 2022 as the Sepang Test began, the Repsol Honda Team sporting a striking black and white testing livery.

The Repsol Honda Team wasted no time in getting their 2022 preparations underway as Pol Espargaro was one of the first riders to leave his garage when the track opened at 10:00 Local Time, Marc Marquez just a few minutes behind. Dressed in a special black and white testing livery ahead of the launch of the Repsol Honda Team on February 08 at 12:00 CET, the pair completed a comprehensive first day under the oppressive Sepang sun.

Marquez suffered a small fall at Turn 9 in the opening hours of running, able to return to the Repsol Honda Team garage and avoiding any injury. He soon returned to the circuit and was sitting comfortably in sixth place when he and his team paused for lunch around 13:00 Local Time. A second harmless crash occurred at Turn 15 in the final half an hour of the day as Marquez continued to find the limits of his new RC213V. Eighth place and a best time of 1’59.287 was Marquez’s reward after 62 laps around the 5.5-kilometre-long circuit. The time put Marquez 0.916s off the best lap of the day.

Pol Espargaro’s progress was steady across the opening day as he got up to speed with the 2022 Honda RC213V. Inside the top five and under the 2’00 barrier just before the lunch break, the #44 completed a total of 64 laps on his first day back on track.

Pol Espargaro

Ultimately ending the day in ninth place with a best time of 1’59.353, 0.066s behind team-mate Marc Marquez as they begin the season. All involved are pleased with the work done and preparations are underway for the second and final day in Sepang. Espargaro is under no illusions about the amount of work that needs to be done in just five days of pre-season testing but is focused and motivated for what’s to come.

Marc Marquez

Action resumes at the Malaysian circuit tomorrow, Sunday, February 06, for the final day of the Sepang Test. Both Repsol Honda Team riders will continue to work through the remainder of their test plans as they assess Honda’s latest MotoGP machine

Sepang Test – Day One

Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Constructor Time/Gap
1 Espargaro Aleix 41 SPA Aprilia Racing Aprilia 1’58.371
2 Vinales Maverick 12 SPA Aprilia Racing Aprilia 0.013
3 Rins Alex 42 SPA Team Suzuki Ecstar Suzuki 0.100
4 Bastianini Enea 23 ITA Team Gresini Racing MotoGP Ducati 0.267
5 Zarco Johann 5 FRA Pramac Racing Ducati 0.575
6 Quartararo Fabio 20 FRA Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 0.631
7 Mir Joan 36 SPA Team Suzuki Ecstar Suzuki 0.696
8 Marquez Marc 93 SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 0.916
9 Espargaro Pol 44 SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 0.982
10 Bezzecchi Marco 73 ITA Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati 1.097
11 Crutchlow Cal 35 GBR Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 1.187
12 Nakagami Takaaki 30 JPN LCR Honda Honda 1.263
13 Fernandez Raul 25 SPA Tech 3 KTM Factory Racing KTM 1.311
14 Binder Brad 33 RSA Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 1.413
15 Marquez Alex 73 SPA LCR Honda Honda 1.542
16 Oliveira Miguel 88 POR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing KTM 1.574
17 Martin Jorge 89 SPA Pramac Racing Ducati 1.578
18 Marini Luca 10 ITA Mooney VR46 Racing Team Ducati 1.595
19 Bagnaia Francesco 62 ITA Ducati Lenovo Team Ducati 1.656
20 Di Giannantonio Fabio 49 ITA Team Gresini Racing MotoGP Ducati 1.676
21 Morbidelli Franco 21 ITA Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Yamaha 1.736
22 Miller Jack 43 AUS Ducati Lenovo Team Ducati 1.806
23 Dovizioso Andrea 4 ITA WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team Yamaha 1.971
24 Gardner Remy 87 AUS Tech 3 KTM Factory Racing KTM 2.099
25 Binder Darryn 40 RSA WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team Yamaha 2.447
26 Guintoli Sylvain 50 FRA Suzuki Test Team Suzuki 3.019
27 Savadori Lorenzo 32 ITA Aprilia Racing Test Team Aprilia 6.014