Image: Supplied.

The top 21 riders lapped within a second of each other following the three day Mandalika Circuit MotoGP test, Repsol Honda Team’s Pol Espargaro emerging fastest of all.

Espargaro was a mere 0.014s ahead of defending champion Fabio Quartararo as the MotoGP paddock concluded its first official outing at the Indonesian venue.

Onboard a revolutionised RC213V for 2022, Espargaro set a 1m31.06s on the third day speaking volumes about the positive aspects of the new machine.

Quartararo in second managed a 1m31.074s – also on the final day – and, while the Frenchman remains concerned about the Yamaha’s lack of improvement in top speed, he’s happy with the pace on used tyres.

Day two pace-setter Luca Marini (Mooney VR46 Racing Team) was third fastest overall courtesy of a 1m31.289s, ahead of Aprilia Racing’s Aleix Espargaro, with the Noale factory testing two different chassis.

A greatly improved outing in Indonesia saw Franco Morbidelli (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) fifth, just 0.3s from the top after chasing front-end confidence for the majority of the test.

Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Lenovo Team) was P6 with a 1m31.436s, showing strong race pace in the heat, ahead of Alex Rins (Team Suzuki Ecstar) in seventh and Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing Team) in eighth.

Repsol Honda Team’s Marc Marquez concluded the test ninth courtesy of a 1m31.481s on day two, notably not doing a ‘time attack’ on the final day, as Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) completed the top 10.

Jack Miller (Ducati Lenovo Team) was the top Australian in 18th, however, his feedback was mostly positive and focussed on progression, as Tech3 KTM Factory Racing’s Remy Gardner was 23rd after a 1m32.598s posted on the second day.

Riders and teams now turn their attention to the 2022 MotoGP World Championship season-opener at the Losail Circuit, Qatar from 4-6 March.

Detailed results