Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) had a notable first test of 2017 at Sepang International Circuit, topping the timesheets briefly and ending Day 2 in the top three – after also impressing at the private test in Jerez late last year. By the end of Day 3 in Malaysia, the Spaniard was seventh on combined times and P6 on Day 3 after another impressive day at the office - putting in 64 laps with a best of 1:59.628. Riding a Ducati for the first time this season, the transition is going well for the former 125 World Champion.
AB19, P6: “It is like the winter never existed for me, it feels like I just got off the bike after the last test. We'll see in Australia if the base we have now allows us to be almost at the limit from the very beginning. It is not easy to get under the two-minute mark here, especially on such a new bike for me, with so many improvements still to be made. We have worked hard over the last three days on my rhythm, on trying to be consistent and learning the bike This morning I wanted to push a little harder and I did a bunch of laps under two minutes so I am very happy. I felt good and felt comfortable from the first lap on the first day. Even though the lap times are good I think I still need to work on some details to ride this bike the way it needs to be ridden.”