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Martin quickest on day two of Malaysia MotoGP test

motorsport11 February 2023 13:29| © AFP
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Jorge Martin © Gallo Images

Jorge Martin made it a successful outing for Ducati as the Spaniard topped the timesheets despite a crash at a rain-interrupted MotoGP pre-season test at the Sepang circuit in Malaysia on Saturday.

The 25-year-old Martin, who was fastest, clocked 1min 58.736 sec on his Ducati machine after 13 laps, ahead of Miguel Olivera of the RNF MotoGP Team who ended the day second fastest.

Pol Espargaro and Fabio Quartararo ended the day in third and fourth, having dipped below the 1:59 mark, while reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia finished fifth fastest by clocking 1min 59.067sec.

Martin was in a jovial mood despite a fall after a crash on turn 7.

"I am happy with the bike, I wish tomorrow is race day!" he joked with reporters.

The fall left Martin with deep cuts on his right hand.

"I have a big abrasion, so let's see if I can ride well. I think I will be in pain, but it's just for another day so I will try to do it. The bike is smooth. I feel like I'm faster than on last year's bike."

The 5.543km Sepang circuit is a happy hunting ground for Martin, who holds the MotoGP fastest lap record (1min 57.790 sec) set at last year's penultimate race.

Besides Martin, Bagnaia was the only other rider who posted the best top speed of 336.4km/h on day two.

The 26-year-old Bagnaia completed only eight laps.

"Tomorrow will be more intense because today we didn't do many laps, with the focus to be on the engine," he said.

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