Spanish world vice-champion Jorge Martin (Ducati-Pramac) was the fastest on Tuesday during the first day of pre-season testing which marked the real kick-off of the 2024 MotoGP year on the Sepang circuit (Malaysia). The reigning Italian double world champion, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati), whom his team hopes to extend before the first Grand Prix in Qatar at the beginning of March, only achieved the 16th time, far from his compatriot and teammate Enea Bastianini (5th) .
The six-time Spanish MotoGP world champion, Marc Marquez, eagerly awaited aboard his Ducati-Gresini, snatched 9th place a few minutes before the end of the day’s eight hours of riding. In the humid heat of Sepang, Martin beat the surprising Spanish rookie Pedro Acosta (Gasgas-Tech3) and the French Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha).
At the end of last week, Acosta (19 years old) had already impressed on the Malaysian track by being the fastest in the “Shakedown”, a test reserved for rookies, test riders and Japanese motorcycles (Honda and Yamaha), which benefit from concessions (advantages) this season to try to catch up with other manufacturers. The other Frenchman Johann Zarco, who left Ducati for Honda and the LCR satellite team, took an encouraging 10th place aboard his new mount, far ahead of his Japanese teammate Takaaki Nakagami (20th).
The day was marked by the heavy fall of the Spaniard Raul Fernandez (Trackhouse), who went over his motorcycle (“high side”) before falling heavily to the ground. Taken to the medical center but fortunately unharmed, he was able to get back on his motorcycle 2.5 hours later. However, he was taken to hospital at the end of the day to undergo additional examinations.
The Italian Franco Morbidelli (Ducati-Pramac) was absent after a heavy fall last Tuesday during training in Jerez (Spain). A small blood clot in his brain was discovered during a scan. Although he was able to return home after two days of hospitalization, he has not yet obtained the green light from the doctors to go to Sepang. Testing will continue on Wednesday and Thursday in Malaysia, again from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. local time.
Ranking of the first day on the Sepang circuit (5.54 km)
1. Jorge Martin (ESP/Ducati-Pramac) 1:57.951
2. Pedro Acosta (ESP/GasGas-Tech3) at 0.269
3. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) 0.277
4. Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA/Ducati-VR46) 0.374
5. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Ducati) 0.406
6. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Aprilia) 0.519
7. Alex Marquez (ESP/Ducati-Gresini) 0.591
8. Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Ducati-VR46) 0.654
9. Marc Marquez (ESP/Ducati-Gresini) 0.670
10. Johann Zarco (FRA/Honda-LCR) 0.719
11. Alex Rins (ESP/Yamaha) 0.765
12. Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) at 0.773
13. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 0.787
14. Joan Mir (ESP/Honda) 0.790
15. Miguel Oliveira (POR/Trackhouse) 0.799
16. Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) 0.862
17. Luca Marini (ITA/Honda) 1.018
18. Jack Miller (AUS/KTM) 1,097
