Marini Heads First Test Of
The Year At Sepang
D
ifferent year, but same old story? The first MotoGP
test of the year at Sepang, February 10-12, certainly
suggested as much, as Ducati picked up where it left off
in November. The winner of last year's triple crown flexed
its muscles in the blistering Malaysian heat, with Mooney
VR46's Luca Marini leading reigning World Champion Pec
-
co Bagnaia (Lenovo Ducati) with a lap of 1:57.889. More
worryingly for its opponents, seven of the eight Ducati rid-
ers occupied the first nine places.
Meanwhile, Yamaha and Honda, always playing catch up
to their Italian adversaries throughout 2022, couldn't match
the speed of the Desmosedicis here. 2021 World champ
Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha) was a worrying
17th at the end of day three, while Marc Marquez (Repsol
Honda) wore a face of resignation across the three days.
Both will be pinning hopes on next month's two-day outing
at Portimao being the scene of a last-minute turnaround.
P44
WIND
IN THE
Luca Marini was masterful at Sepang and
became the second-fastest rider around the
track in history.
PHOTOS: GOLD & GOOSE
