Sepang MotoGP Test 2025 Day 2: Franco Morbidelli fastest, Marquez and Bagnaia crash

Sepang MotoGP Test 2025 Day 2 delivered high drama, blistering lap times, and unexpected twists as Franco Morbidelli emerged supreme with Ducati’s GP24 machine.

While Yamaha’s Fabio Quartararo continued to showcase remarkable consistency, the session was punctuated by high-profile crashes from Marc Marquez and Francesco Bagnaia casting shadows over their otherwise promising pre-season preparations.

With teams fine-tuning their packages ahead of the season opener, Sepang MotoGP Test 2025 Day 2 revealed critical insights into the pecking order and unresolved challenges facing riders across the grid.

Franco Morbidelli’s electrifying 1:57.210s lap – set just one hour into the session – proved unbeatable, securing the VR46 Racing rider the top spot by 0.114s over Quartararo.

The Italian’s time which would have earned a front-row start at Sepang in 2024 demonstrated the GP24’s enduring competitiveness despite being last year’s model.

Morbidelli’s seamless adaptation to the Ducati contrasted sharply with defending champion Bagnaia’s struggles, as the factory Ducati Lenovo rider suffered a low-side crash at Turn 15 before salvaging fifth place with a late 1:57.652s effort.

Meanwhile Yamaha’s resurgence gained further momentum as Fabio Quartararo clocked 1:57.324s early in the morning, building on his Day 1 performance that had briefly threatened Ducati’s supremacy.

The Frenchman’s ability to maintain pace on used tires suggested significant progress with Yamaha’s new engine configuration and aerodynamics package.

Teammate Alex Rins complemented this showing with eighth place (1:58.275s), though the Spaniard’s gap to Quartararo highlighted ongoing challenges in maximizing the M1’s potential across both factory riders.

Marc Marquez’s transition to Ducati’s factory team hit a symbolic hurdle during Sepang MotoGP Test 2025 Day 2 when he crashed at Turn 9 during a late time attack, marking his first fall since joining the Italian manufacturer.

The six-time champion had completed 780km of testing without incident prior to the crash, a stark contrast to his disastrous 2023 season with Honda that saw 29 crashes.

Though unharmed, the incident left Marquez stranded in ninth (1:58.447s), nearly 1.2s slower than Morbidelli and far from the 1:57.606s he’d achieved on Day 1. The setback underscored ongoing adaptation challenges with the GP25’s revised chassis and engine braking system.

Gresini Racing emerged as dark horses with Alex Marquez (1:57.340s) and rookie Fermín Aldeguer (1:57.545s) securing third and fourth places respectively.

Aldeguer, the fastest rookie, demonstrated exceptional composure to outpace established names like Miguel Oliveira (1:57.971s) and Johann Zarco (1:58.138s), suggesting Ducati’s satellite machinery remains a potent weapon even in rookie hands.

Honda’s Joan Mir provided a rare bright spot for the struggling Japanese manufacturer climbing to sixth (1:57.791s) in the final hour. However, teammate Luca Marini languished in 18th (1:59.451s), exposing persistent rear-grip issues that have plagued Honda since the 2023 season.

KTM’s mixed fortunes saw Brad Binder finish 14th (1:58.687s), while rookie Pedro Acosta struggled to 17th (1:59.113s) – a sobering reminder of the RC16’s demanding nature despite winter upgrades.

Aprilia’s woes deepened with Marco Bezzecchi managing only 11th (1:58.501s) and Ai Ogura 12th (1:58.611s), their RS-GP machines visibly struggling under acceleration compared to Ducati and Yamaha.

The Italian factory’s decision to delay its 2025 MotoGP engine specification now appears increasingly risky, with riders reporting inconsistent corner-exit traction during long runs.

As teams packed up after 45 laps of intense running to close Sepang MotoGP Test 2025 Day 2, several narratives emerged: Ducati’s depth across factory and satellite teams remains unmatched, Yamaha’s revival under new technical leadership is gaining credibility, and Honda’s rebuild continues to test even its most experienced riders.

With just one official test remaining before Qatar’s season opener, the pressure intensifies to convert these lessons into race-winning packages.

Sepang MotoGP test 2025 Day 2 Results