MotoGP Test Sepang J1: at half-time, Ducati leads the way with Jorge Martin

With three riders monopolizing the leading trio and no less than six installed in the top 10, it is nothing to say that the first of three days of the famous Sepang test essential for the preparation of the 2023 season in MotoGP begins with fanfare for Ducati. It is Jorge Martin who leads the debates during the Malaysian lunch break, while the competition is called Aprilia. Marc Marquez is the only one to save appearances for the Japanese by being an isolated sixth…

Ducati reminded this morning of Sepang that its riders had not won twelve of the twenty 2022 MotoGP Grands Prix by chance. By locking the leading trio with GP23s, the Borgo Panigale brand is already showing its level while its GP22s remain on the cover. The top 10 is closed by the rookie Augusto Fernandez who experienced the horrors of his first fall in MotoGP. His teammate Pol Espargaro also got on the ground, inaugurating his list of falls under the GASGAS colors.

First #MotoGP crash. Smooth one. Rider came back to the box with the smile, and bike with almost nothing. @Afernandez37 is starting to feel confident enough to give it an extra push💥 We are on our way. #SepangTest pic.twitter.com/VLOjRIC3NR

- Tech3 Racing (@ Tech3Racing) February 10, 2023

The Yamahas make a discreet debut at Sepang

The rest of the peloton is led by Bezzecchi, so one more Ducati, ahead of the KTM of Brad Binder. The first one Yamaha is that of Morbidely, fifteenth, while fabio quartararo starts modestly with the 18th time just ahead Johann zarco. The Frenchman has three different Yamahas, including the prototype used by Cal Crutchlow at Shakedown. Marc Marquez has four versions of the RCV in the Repsol Honda box, including one with a new “ground effect” style fairing.

Rain, which ruined two out of three days during the recent Shakedown, is a persistent threat, so drivers wasted no time in setting off when the track opened at 10am. Moreover, the first downpour arrived just before completing these lines... The rest at lunchtime, in our latitudes.