MotoGP is back in action. This Thursday, Sepang (Malaysia) hosted the first of three days of the official shakedown, where KTM had the upper hand and Dani Pedrosa set the fastest time.
This test is for test riders from all manufacturers, for the only rookie of the season – Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GasGas Tech3/KTM) – and for any rider from the two manufacturers with the most concessions, Honda and Yamaha.
In the best lap of the day, Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM) clocked a time of 1m59.233s, surpassing Acosta by 0.152s. There were seven riders on track, with Honda and Yamaha choosing not to use their regular riders this Thursday – they will do so tomorrow and Saturday.
In third place was Pol Espargaró (Red Bull KTM) at 0.182s, followed by Stefan Bradl (HRC Test Team). Michele Pirro (Ducati) finished more than a second off the top, ahead of Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha) and Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia).
More than the lap times, it was important to see the new technical solutions for the bikes. Aprilia, Ducati, KTM, and Honda used new aerodynamics, and in KTM, Acosta even tested new materials including a front fender and steel and carbon frames, according to the official championship website.
Times:
1st Dani Pedrosa (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – 1m59.233s
2nd Pedro Acosta (Red Bull GasGas Tech3/KTM) – + 0.152s
3rd Pol Espargaró (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) – + 0.182s
4th Stefan Bradl (HRC Test Team) – + 0.627s
5th Michele Pirro (Ducati Lenovo Team) – + 1.633s
6th Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Factory Racing) – + 1.780s
7th Lorenzo Savadori (Aprilia Racing) – + 2.576s
