Aliens on Top at Sepang MotoGP Test
The 2010 MotoGP season kicked off as 2009 ended with the 4 aliens on top but with rookie sensation, Ben Spies, already showing he is prepared to start his MotoGP career where he left off on Superbikes – at the front.
Valentino Rossi ended the test fastest, showing that 9 World titles haven’t reduced his hunger for further championship victories. Marlboro Ducatis Casey Stoner took 2nd ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa.
Impressively,Tech 3 Spies posted the 5th fastest time beating his teammate Colin Edwards and Nicky Hayden who was 8th. New Pramac hire, Aleix Espargaro, showed he is coming to grips with the Ducati Desmosedici GP10 with 9th fastest time whilst his teammate Mika Kallio struggled in 17th and last place. Hector Barbera was 12th on the new Team Aspar Ducati.
Stoner 2nd:- “We are quite happy with the test….Considering that we are using a different engine to the one we’ve had for the last three years and some other new parts that we still need to get the best out of we certainly can’t be unhappy with where we’re at. There is work to do but we have two more test sessions before the season starts for real. In general I am really pleased with how it’s gone.”
Hayden 8th:- “I am satisfied but I could be happier. These past two days have flown by and the weather hasn’t helped us to make the most of the track time available. Anyway, this morning we got the chance to find a wet setting for the new forks and engine. When we went out in the dry I could feel an instant improvement on yesterday and I set a decent pace but then we didn’t improve further….However, it was a very positive test and I can’t wait to get back to work at the next one in a couple of weeks’ time.”
Aleix Espargarò 9th:- “..I am really pleased on how things have gone. This is only my first winter test in MotoGP and I can only improve in the future. The arm on which I had surgery on this past winter doesn’t hurt anymore and my physical condition, notwithstanding the heat of these days, seems to be in good conditions. I look forward to come back on track at the end of the month here in Malaysia.”
Mika Kallio 17th:- “We tried many changes on the bike set up, but we had some difficulties to improve the situation and for this reason we lost a lot of time working on our bikes in the garage. We will have to give our best in the next test so that things can change. We are too far from the firsts and our goal is to remain consistently between top 10 riders in every single session.”
link: Superbike Planet
Sepang MotoGP Test Results
1. Rossi (Yamaha) 2.00.925 (20 of 32)
2. Stoner (Ducati) 2.01.320 (34 of 44)
3. Lorenzo (Yamaha) 2.01.680 (27of 60)
4. Pedrosa (Honda) 2.01.822 (46 of 50)
5. Spies (Yamaha) 2.02.266 (17 of 31)
6. Dovizioso (Honda) 2.02.272 (46 of 56)
7. Edwards (Yamaha) 2.02.479 (38 of 42)
8. Hayden (Ducati) 2.02.493 (30 of 64)
9. Espargarò (Ducati) 2.02.647 (30 of 33)
10. Capirossi (Suzuki) 2.02.763 (25 of 48)
11. Melandri (Honda) 2.02.810 (49 of 55)
12. Barberà (Ducati) 2.03.032 (48 of 51)
13. De Puniet (Honda) 2.03.043 (30 of 48)
14. Aoyama (Honda) 2.03.195 (39 of 56)
15. Simoncelli (Honda) 2.03.245 (49 of 49)
16. Bautista (Suzuki) 2.03.274 (32 of 37)
17. Kallio (Ducati) 2.03.359 (46 of 53)
The next MotoGP test will be back at Sepang, Malaysia on February 24-26 before the teams will conduct the final test to be held at the Losail International Circuit from March 17-19, just three weeks before the inaugural race of the 2010 season at the Qatari venue.
Want More?
Check out the 2010 Motorcycle Racing Calendar.
Check out the 2010 Ducati Desmosedici GP10
Check out the 2010 Ducati GP10 Wallpaper
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