Miller on pace at MotoGP test
Third overall in a Ducati-dominated three-day test at SepangAussie Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Ducati) set the third fastest time in a three-day MotoGP test session at Sepang in Malaysia last week.
The Queenslander's best lap was just 0.127 seconds in arrears of factory Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci, who came out on top in the test with a searing new benchmark time around the Malaysian circuit – 1:58.239.
Miller's new teammate Francesco Bagnaia was second fastest, with Andrea Dovizioso (Mission Winnow Ducati) fourth on the timesheets as Ducati showed its hand in the first pre-season test of 2019.
After the Ducati lock-out at the top, it was Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha) who remained close. The Spaniard put his No. 12 into fifth on the timesheets, setting a 1:58.644 as his best of a whopping 79 laps. Viñales’ long run pace was also electric – with the Yamaha rider putting in 20 laps in the 1:59s and 2:00 brackets. Teammate Valentino Rossi was 10th on the timesheets after more than 60 laps, and it was a positive test for the Iwata marque overall.
Behind Viñales, the final man to beat the 2018 fastest lap was Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) as the Brit took sisth overall and was fastest Honda once again despite returning from injury. The three-time Grand Prix winner crashed on day three but managed an increased 61 laps – a positive showing after so much time away – and did a best of a 1:58.780.
MORE: Jack Miller Sepang interview
His teammate Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu), meanwhile, impressed once again as he completed day three in the top 10 – making that three days in a row. The Japanese rider was happy after the test and put in 61 laps on Friday.
Reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) seemed relieved on the third day of testing to see the condition of his shoulder improved after a tough day two. The No. 93 again finished work a little early to aid his recovery, but he did 39 laps with a best of a 1:59.170 and ended the day in 11th – just 0.015 off Rossi. Honda test rider Stefan Bradl also added more than 50 laps to the count for the Japanese manufacturer, ending the day in 13th, and tested a new aero fairing, as did Marquez.
Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) was another who put in a stunning performance on day three, ending the session in seventh and only just outside Lorenzo’s quickest 2018 lap. He did 52 laps.
Team Suzuki Ecstar had a more low-key day on Friday, on the timesheets at least, with Alex Rins the highest-placed Hamamatsu machine in 12th. Rookie Joan Mir made a big move up the ranking, though, ending the session in 15th.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing saw Johann Zarco once again the fastest Austrian machine as the Frenchman took 17th with a 1:59.640 after 44 laps – but he only pipped teammate Pol Espargaro.
The next test will be held at Losail in Qatar from February 23-25.
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