Dani Pedrosa once again demonstrated he still has what it takes at the highest levels of MotoGP as he topped shakedown testing at Sepang for the second consecutive day.
Riding the latest generation KTM RC16 – which has been constructed and developed primarily from the input of former Repsol Honda rider – Pedrosa powered to a 1m 59.841s lap time. As a reference, Fabio Quartararo’s pole position in 2019 was a 1m 58.303s with Valentino Rossi’s race lap record being a 1m 59.661s.
A strong showing for KTM - which is running five bikes for this test alone between the Factory team and the satellite Tech 3 outfit – Pol Espargaro also dipped under 2mins with a 1m 59.972s lap.
Alex Marquez continued in his quest to get better acquainted with the Repsol Honda ahead of the first official MotoGP pre-season test later this week, recovering a small tip-off to set the third best time with a 2m 00.270s. He will miss the final day of the test to head to Indonesia for the official launch of the Repsol Honda team’s 2020 MotoGP effort.
Miguel Oliveira returned to competition after missing the 2019 final round and post-season test through injury, setting the fourth best time, ahead of Honda’s Stefan Bradl, Michele Pirro on the Ducati, KTM rookie Brad Binder and Suzuki’s Sylvain Guintoli.
Aprilia continued work on the new-for-2020 RS-GP, Bradley Smith it’s best representative in ninth position.
Meanwhile, Yamaha focused its attentions on its Japanese test team before Jorge Lorenzo makes his first appearance on track with the manufacturer on Tuesday. The Spaniard’s return to the team he won his three world titles was confirmed last week and he made his first public appearance in Yamaha colours during Monday afternoon.
Sepang MotoGP Shakedown Test - RESULTS [Day 2]
| IRTA Sepang MotoGP Shakedown - Testing Results [Day 2] | ||||
| Pos | Rider | Nat. | Team | Times |
| 1 | Dani Pedrosa | ESP | Red Bull KTM Factory | 1m 59.841 |
| 2 | Pol Espargaro | ESP | Red Bull KTM Factory | 1m 59.972 |
| 3 | Alex Marquez | ESP | Repsol Honda Team | 2m 00.270 |
| 4 | Miguel Oliveira | POR | Red Bull KTM Tech 3 | 2m 00.695 |
| 5 | Michele Pirro [1] | ITA | Ducati Team | 2m 00.695 |
| 6 | Stefan Bradl | GER | Repsol Honda Team | 2m 00.749 |
| 7 | Brad Binder | RSA | Red Bull KTM Factory | 2m 00.899 |
| 8 | Sylvain Guintoli | FRA | Team Suzuki Ecstar | 2m 01.125 |
| 9 | Bradley Smith | GBR | Aprilia Racing Gresini | 2m 01.240 |
| 10 | Michel Pirro [2] | ITA | Ducati Team | 2m 01.708 |
| 11 | Iker Lecuona | ESP | Red Bull KTM Tech 3 | 2m 01.946 |
| 12 | Yamaha Test Rider 1 | - | Yamaha Factory Racing | 2m 02.713 |
| 13 | Yamaha Test Rider 3 | - | Yamaha Factory Racing | 2m 03.348 |
| 14 | Lorenzo Savadori | ITA | Aprilia Racing Gresini | 2m 03.606 |
| 15 | Yamaha Test Rider 2 | - | Yamaha Factory Racing | No Time |
