Sepang tests, D2: Big scare on the Malaysian circuit!

The tests carried out on Tuesday at Sepang were first of all placed under the domination of Danilo Petrucci, already very fast yesterday, and despite the initial opposition from Marc Marquez today, while observers noted Casey Stoner moving in 10th position at 1,6 seconds from the Pramac driver.

Then, after barely 45 minutes, Loris Baz fell at nearly 300 km/h at the end of the line; a huge “bang”, the rear wheel locking and the rider going over the bike! An incident reminiscent of the explosion of the rear tire of Shinya Nakano's Kawasaki at Mugello in 2004...

Despite the very impressive images captured by the circuit cameras, let's say it straight away, the latter "has nothing" and, having fortunately slipped on his buttocks, only suffers from overheating of the latter and a hematoma on the elbow.

Only here, a wheel that locks and a tire that bursts (see photo) can only have two causes; a mechanical failure (engine, gearbox or shock absorber) leading to a tire burst, or, conversely, a tire burst causing the rear wheel to lock.

After an hour and a half of red flag investigation and discussions between Loris Baz, the Avintia team, Ducati, Loris Capirossi (Mr. Safety), Danny Aldridge (MotoGP Technical Director) and the IRTA, the second solution temporarily seemed to be privileged and, as a precautionary measure, Michelin withdrew from its allocation the soft tire used by the French driver and imposed a higher minimum pressure for the hard rear tire (1,7 bar), the only possible choice when testing resumed.

A few minutes after the red lights went out, some drivers fell without seriousness, like Pol Espargaro, then Jorge Lorenzo at turn #5, losing the front. Tito followed half an hour later, still without seriousness.

Despite harder tires, higher pressure and still very high temperatures, a few drivers including Jorge Lorenzo, Cal Crutchlow, Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner managed to improve their times during the remaining two hours, with the Australian driver finishing just 5th hundredths of Ducati’s spearhead!

Here is the final classification of this second official day which now nevertheless leaves a little worried atmosphere on the Sepang circuit, despite the good performances of the non-official Ducati of Danilo Petrucci and Hector Barbera...

Photo : @pecinogp.

1 PETRUCCI, Danilo Octo Pramac Yakhnich 2:00.095 9/46
2 LORENZO, Jorge Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 2:00.155 0.060 31/32
3 BARBERA, Hector Avintia Racing 2:00.387 0.292 6/32
4 MARQUEZ, MarcRepsol Honda Team2:00.843 0.748 5/52
5 CRUTCHLOW, Cal LCR Honda 2:00.899 0.804 53/55
6 ROSSI, Valentino Movistar Yamaha MotoGP 2:01.021 0.926 47/54
7 REDDING, Scott Octo Pramac Yakhnich 2:01.049 0.954 3/42
8 IANNONE, Andrea Ducati Team 2:01.052 0.957 9/39
9 STONER, Casey Ducati Team 2:01.103 1.008 37/45
10 SMITH, Bradley Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:01.107 1.012 58/59
11 VIÑALES, Maverick Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 2:01.421 1.326 4/59
12 PEDROSA, Dani Repsol Honda Team 2:01.475 1.380 4/36
13 HERNANDEZ, Yonny Aspar MotoGP Team 2:01.644 1.549 7/41
14 DOVIZIOSO, Andrea Ducati Team 2:01.723 1.628 12/35
15 ESPARGARO, Pol Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:01.992 1.897 6/32
16 ESPARGARO, Aleix Team SUZUKI ECSTAR 2:02.092 1.997 34/39
17 RABAT, Tito EG 0.0 Marc VDS 2:02.328 2.233 5/54
18 BRADL, Stefan Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 2:02.372 2.277 4/45
19 BAZ, Loris Avintia Racing 2:02.611 2.516 12/26
20 NAKASUGA, Katsuyuki Yamaha Test Team 2:02.691 2.596 35/43
21 BAUTISTA, Alvaro Aprilia Racing Team Gresini 2:02.876 2.781 4/52