Some very interesting results at the Sepang MotoGP winter test yesterday

For the first time in two years, MotoGP returned to the Sepang International Circuit for the annual Sepang winter test. There are a lot of changes on the grid, and the timings were very interesting to follow throughout the weekend. So, who was the fastest in testing, and does it really matter?

On Day 1 (Saturday), it was the Aprilia boys, Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Vinales, who concluded with the two fastest times. Setting a blistering pace of 1:58.371 and just 0.013 seconds behind respectively, the Aprilia RS-GP machinery shows a lot of promise in terms of handling the Sepang International Circuit. Espargaro was the first rider to breach into the 1:58 barrier on Saturday, which was also quite an achievement against the powerhouses of Ducati, Yamaha, and more.

On Day 2, the Aprilias were still in the top 5 positions, but the one that set the fastest pace was Gresini's rookie, Enea Bastianini. On board his Ducati Desmosedici GP21, he only managed to outpace Espargaro's Aprilia RS-GP by a margin of 0.026 seconds (1:58.131) which also happens to be a new record at Sepang. In fact, the top 17 riders of the winter test were all within the 1:58 mark and the rest were still very impressive at the 1:59s.

To be fair, the Sepang winter test doesn't really predict the outcome for the 2022 season as most riders had more important jobs of understanding their new machinery and getting back into racing pace before they arrive in Qatar for the first race in March. A lot of details have to be ironed out first, and they're planning to do so this weekend at the Mandalika MotoGP official test. Who do you have your money on?