Quartararo Shines In Sepang Test
Y
amaha claimed the honors at the first
round of MotoGP tests of 2020 but the
name at the top changed.
So far, Fabio Quartararo has claimed
informal title of "Winter World Champion,"
heading the time sheets on all three days at
Sepang in Malaysia, February 7-9, on both
the 2019 and the 2020 version of the YZR-
M1.
Maverick Vinales, who usually claims the
empty but still satisfying title, was down in
16th overall, but the factory Yamaha rider
was only half a second down, and im-
pressed observers and rivals with his pace
over longer runs.
The first tests were as usual far from
conclusive, with some teams testing major
changes (for Aprilia a brand-new engine),
three riders (including Marc Marquez)
recovering from shoulder surgery, and all
of them getting to grips with a new rear tire
from Michelin, which clearly requires some
adjustments in overall setup.
But they were suggestive.
IN
THE
WIND
P32
(Above) Fabio Quartararo means business in 2020 and topped all three days in Malaysia. (Right) Alex
Rins showed consistent speed on the Suzuki to finish third-fastest on the final day. PHOTOS: GOLD & GOOSE
