Day 1 of the Sepang Shakedown Test has been completed as rookies and Test Riders got back into the groove in Malaysia, and it was Raul Fernandez (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) who topped the timesheets with a 2:00.898.
All five rookies were lapping on Monday as they continue to get to grips with their new machines. Reigning Moto2™ World Champion Remy Gardner (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) was present despite fracturing his wrist recently, with Marco Bezzecchi (Mooney VR46 Racing Team), Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team) and Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) also enjoying some time on track.
Day 1, 2022! ????
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) January 31, 2022
The #SepangShakedown is already underway for our rookies and test riders! ????#MotoGP pic.twitter.com/YOpaw7yHq8
Ducati’s trusty Test Rider Michele Pirro was riding the GP22, which was sporting the long exhaust we saw at the tests last year. The other exhaust, that comes out by the side of the ‘salad box’, has been shortened. The Italian was continuing work on the aero package we saw at the Jerez Test too.
Lorenzo Savadori was testing for Aprilia Racing and the Italian was seen running the smaller front wings we saw in Jerez, with Aprilia’s whole front fairing seemingly upgraded. The new exhaust and aluminium swingarm were also seen on one of Savadori’s bikes.
It's a pleasure to be back, Sepang ????#SepangShakedown pic.twitter.com/oVw307QW0Z
— MotoGP™???? (@MotoGP) January 31, 2022
Unfortunately, as it’s a private test, information is hard to come by. It won’t be until the Official Test begins that we will get to hear from the riders and see plenty of pictures, videos and more to gain a better understanding of what each factory is testing.
Test Riders and rookies will be back on track on Tuesday and Wednesday ahead of the Sepang Test that begins on Saturday.