News 5 Feb 2020

MotoGP shakedown test wraps up in Sepang

Test riders and selection of MotoGP regulars take to the Malaysian circuit.

Image: Supplied.

The three-day MotoGP World Championship shakedown test has finished in Sepang, with Red Bull KTM Factory Racing’s Pol Esparagro topping the unofficial times on the final day.

KTM riders took a clean sweep at the shakedown test, where MotoGP Legend and factory test rider Dani Pedrosa went quickest on the opening two days. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) had a positive day too as he returns to riding following his late 2019 surgery, while Mika Kallio took over testing duties from Pedrosa on the final day.

Stealing headlines was the return of the recently retired Jorge Lorenzo in his new role as a test rider for Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP, the multi-time world champion completing 46 laps while setting a similar time to his 2019 qualifying lap at the Malaysian circuit aboard the Repsol Honda.

Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro got his first taste of the 2020 RS-GP after test rider Bradley Smith had taken the new model for an initial two-day spin on Sunday and Monday, while factory test riders Michele Pirro (Ducati Team) and Sylvain Guintoli (Team Suzuki Ecstar) completed their third-straight day of testing at Sepang.

Rookies Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Iker Lecuona (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) continued their adaptation to the premier class, as Alex Marquez was absent on day three to attend the 2020 Repsol Honda team launch in Indonesia. The full MotoGP grid will hit the Malaysian circuit on 7-9 February for the official pre-season test.

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