Image: Supplied.

Reigning MotoGP world champion Francesco Bagnaia concluded the final pre-season test of 2023 as the fastest rider, the Italian lapping quickest on both days at Portimao to set a new all-time lap record at the venue.

Bagnaia’s (Ducati Lenovo Team) best effort of a 1m37.968s came on lap 60 of day two, seeing him three-tenths clear of Prima Pramac Racing’s Johann Zarco.

A positive uplift in terms of laptime and overall position on the second day at Portimao saw former world champion Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) third, courtesy of a 1m38.302s and he notably sampled a much bigger, upside-down triangular shaped-designed rear wing.

Fast throughout much of the pre-season, Mooney VR46 Racing Team’s Luca Marini concluded the Portimao test fourth quickest, despite two technical issues that interrupted his final day. He finished ahead of teammate Marco Bezzecchi who notched a 1m38.351s for fifth.

Freshly-minted Ducati Lenovo Team rider Enea Bastianini was sixth quickest, leading Alex Marquez (Gresini Racing MotoGP) who continues to show promising form in the early stages of his Ducati switch. Also featuring inside the top 10 were Jorge Martin (Prima Pramac Racing), Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing) with a 1m38.569s, the Spaniard admittedly struggling with arm pump throughout the test.

Notably, the top 12 which also featured Aprilia newcomer Miguel Oliveria (CryptoData RNF MotoGP Team) and Maverick Vinales (Aprilia Racing) were under the previous qualifying record of 1m38.725s, set by Bagnaia in 2021.

Marc Marquez Repsol Honda Team completed the test 14th quickest with a 1m38.778s, as Australia’s Jack Miller (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) was 17th on the overall timesheets as he made progress with the 2023 RC16 platform.

Detailed results