MotoGP: Espargaro ends MotoGP pre-season on top

Pol Espargaro ruled supreme on the final day of running in Indonesia, ending the winter tests with a confidence building day at Mandalika in Indonesia.

Sunday, the final day of MotoGP pre-season testing, saw a late revision to the schedule as riders were given more time for practice starts and the circuit given time to clean the start-finish straight. With the break in action coming at 13:00 Local Time, a natural lunch break was added into the day.

Pol Espargaro ended the morning session as the fastest rider with a best lap of 1’31.060, 0.215s clear of second place World Championship Fabio Quartararo at the time.

Fabio Quartararo 2nd quick

This continues the fine form the #44 has found aboard the new Honda RC213V. Aside from the headline-grabbing lap time, Espargaro was able to round out his testing program and conclude a fruitful five days of running. With his work done, Espargaro and the Repsol Honda Team decided to end his day early, just before 14:00 Local Time. Even with the early finish, Espargaro’s 1’31.060 stood as the fastest lap of the day, book ending an extremely positive three days in Indonesia for the #44.

“I’m feeling really pleased with how this pre-season has gone and especially here in Mandalika,” said Espargaro.

“It’s nice to get the fastest time but what’s more important is our pace and feeling with the bike, I’m able to ride how I want. I have to say congratulations to HRC and the Repsol Honda Team for all their work over winter, they’ve put in a lot of effort and the results are showing.

“Normally at hot tracks like here and Sepang I struggle a lot, but right now we leave having done two good tests and able to find somethings for long runs and on our one lap speed. Yesterday we solved a small issue we were having and it really helped us with the one lap speed. Now it’s time to rest a little and get ready for Qatar, my confidence is good and I can’t wait to race.”

Franco Morbidelli 4th quick

Day 3 Test Times

Pos. Rider Num Nation Team Time/Gap
1 ESPARGARO Pol 44 SPA Repsol Honda Team 1’31.060
2 QUARTARARO Fabio 20 FRA Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 0.014
3 ESPARGARO Aleix 41 SPA Aprilia Racing 0.325
4 MORBIDELLI Franco 21 ITA Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP 0.356
5 BAGNAIA Francesco 62 ITA Ducati Lenovo Team 0.376
6 RINS Alex 42 SPA Team Suzuki Ecstar 0.417
7 VINALES Maverick 12 SPA Aprilia Racing 0.418
8 ZARCO Johann 5 FRA Pramac Racing 0.428
9 BINDER Brad 33 RSA Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 0.514
10 MARQUEZ Alex 73 SPA LCR Honda 0.543
11 OLIVEIRA Miguel 88 POR Red Bull KTM Factory Racing 0.560
12 MARINI Luca 10 ITA Mooney VR46 Racing Team 0.605
13 NAKAGAMI Takaaki 30 JPN LCR Honda 0.627
14 MARQUEZ Marc 93 SPA Repsol Honda Team 0.733
15 MILLER Jack 43 AUS Ducati Lenovo Team 0.810
16 DOVIZIOSO Andrea 4 ITA WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team 0.830
17 BEZZECCHI Marco 73 ITA Mooney VR46 Racing Team 0.841
18 DI GIANNANTONIO Fabio 49 ITA Team Gresini Racing MotoGP 0.855
19 BASTIANINI Enea 23 ITA Team Gresini Racing MotoGP 0.950
20 MARTIN Jorge 89 SPA Pramac Racing 1.484
21 GARDNER Remy 87 AUS Tech 3 KTM Factory Racing 1.800
22 BINDER Darryn 40 RSA WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team 1.989
23 FERNANDEZ Raul 25 SPA Tech 3 KTM Factory Racing 3.836