Results of the first day of the Sepang Test 2024

Following the Valencia test in November, the premier class riders have their second chance to prepare for the start of the 2024 season at the Sepang International Circuit this week.

Prima Pramac Racing rider and 2023 MotoGP World Championship runner-up, Jorge Martín, topped the timesheets on Tuesday with a 1:57.951, ahead of rookie Pedro Acosta and Fabio Quartararo.

On a day in which the differences between the riders was minimal, the Top 10 was completed by Fabio Di Giannantonio (Ducati), Enea Bastianini (Ducati), Maverick Viñales (Aprilia), Álex Márquez (Ducati), Marco Bezzecchi (Ducati), Marc Márquez (Ducati) and Johann Zarco (Ducati).

World Champion Pecco Bagnaia ended the day 16th, with a time of 1:58.813.

First day of work for Repsol Honda Team riders

The Repsol Honda team riders returned to the track to continue working for the 2024 season. Both Luca Marini and Joan Mir had the clear objective of progressing and gathering data.

Mir put in a total of 43 laps. His best time (1:58.741), was achieved on his penultimate attempt, placed him in fourteenth position. Marini continued with his adaptation to the Honda and completed 38 laps. His best time (1:58.969) earned him seventeenth on day one.

Results of the first day of the Sepang Test 2024

Statements

Joan Mir

“It’s only the first day so I am staying quite calm about everything as there’s still a lot more to come. We were able to improve Sector 3 and 4, our pace is good there. We were faster in the first half of the lap during the Shakedown. Today was about trying some new things and because of that it was the first day I think that we didn’t improve the bike. This can happen when you’re trying a lot of things. As I said, it is not a big problem because we will be back on track tomorrow. Tonight we need to compare our data.”

Luca Marini

“We have many things to try but everyone is working very hard and well. I am really satisfied with how the first days have gone because every time I get on the bike the feeling is better. It’s an enjoyable moment, learning the new bike, the new team and the new culture. We found something better in the last few days but of course there is still more to do. The step since Valencia has been good and everyone is working together well. The objective is to keep putting all the pieces together because there are many new things and improvements.”