Maverick Vinales fastest on Day 2 of Sepang Shakedown test

Aprilia rider Maverick Vinales set the pace on Day 2 of the MotoGP Shakedown Test at Sepang.

Maverick Vinales was the sole rider this week to lap the Malaysian Grand Prix circuit in less than two minutes, the sparniard is eligible for the three-day test due to Aprilia’s status as a concession manufacturer.

A late 1:59.833s left him 0.732s ahead of Ducati test rider Michele Pirro, who had been testing aerodynamics, and 0.901s ahead of VR46 rookie Marco Bezzecchi riding a second Ducati.

Raul Fernandez improved on his 2:00.898s benchmark on Day 1 to a 2:00.819s on Day 2, good for fourth, despite a fall. Injured Tech3 KTM team-mate Remy Gardner finished sixth on a 2:01.177s.

Suzuki test rider Sylvain Guintoli took the fifth spot on the timesheet with a time of 2:01.102s.

Stefan Bradl was unable to compete on Day 1 owing to a shipping problem that caused his Hondas to arrive late, but he was ninth fastest on Day 2 with a time of 2:01.361s.

Fabio di Giannantonio of Gresini, the top rookie at last November’s Jerez test, missed the second day due to a stomach ache but is expected to return for the final day on Wednesday, when Aleix Espargaro, Vinales’ teammate, should also be on track to try the latest RS-GP ahead of this weekend’s Official test.

Dani Pedrosa was once again absent from the timing screens, with two motorcycles reserved for Mika Kallio, a fellow KTM test rider. On the Yamaha test bikes are Kohta Nozane and Katsuyuki Nakasuga.

Only one day remains in the Shakedown Test, with the first Official test of 2022 set to begin on February 5 at the same circuit.

2022 SEPANG MOTOGP SHAKEDOWN TEST – TUESDAY (FINAL)