MotoGP 2022 Kicks Off
With Sepang Test
P
reparations for the 2022 Mo-
toGP season officially got un-
derway with Malaysia's Sepang
International Circuit hosting a
two-day test. In keeping with the
trend over the past two years,
the pack was exceptionally tight.
At the close of the final day, just
0.3 seconds covered the top
eleven. And five of the six manu-
facturers were represented in the
top eight. Closeness and variety
were the order of the day.
As was surprise.
Enea Bastianini, now entering
his sophomore premier-class
campaign, was the fastest of all
on his year-old Gresini Ducati.
The Italian's 1:58.131s effort
was the fastest ever two-wheel
lap around Sepang, a flash that
marks him out as the poten-
tial surprise package of 2022.
Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro was
also under the old outright track
record, 0.026s back.
Among a range of stories,
the biggest was the latest return
of Marc Marquez. Back from a
serious eye injury sustained last
November, the eight-time champ
felt the double vision issues
which kept him from full training
until mid-January was fully recov-
ered. The timesheets indicated
as much, as Marquez ended
Sunday eighth while getting up
to speed on Honda's all-new '22
RC213V.
IN
THE
WIND
P36
Enea Bastianini fired an
early shot at the MotoGP
pack by breaking the
Sepang lap record on
his first visit as a MotoGP
rider.
PHOTOS: MOTOGP
