The first tests in Sepang gave us clues as to what to expect in this new season of MotoGP. The Malaysian track made it clear that a very unpredictable year awaits us in every way after the forces have evened out this winter. All experts point out that Ducati has built the most complete and powerful motorcycle in the championship and will be the rival to beat ahead of the Yamaha of a fabio quartararo that, despite being champion, does not start as a favorite for anyone due to the conservatism of its engineers. The Bologna brand will have a record of eight motorcycles on the circuits, something that should give them a lot of advantage with the performance data.
The first test of the great Ducati moment was endorsed with the best time on the last day of testing for its rider Enea Bastianini. The Italian beat four Spaniards who took the first five places with the guys from Aprilia –Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales– like the great surprises when appearing with a motorcycle that in other times was not competitive at all. Jorge Martín, with the satellite Ducati, was third showing the expected growth of him, while Alex Rins was fourth on the reborn Suzuki that won the World Championship with Joan Mir in 2020.
In the midst of all these alternatives we find Marc Márquez in eighth position. The Catalan pilot has multiple ailments from recent seasons after injuring his humerus, his shoulder and suffering from double vision. It seems that all those problems are temporarily forgotten and that he just has to fine-tuning a Honda that seemed completely renewed, but out of tune. The eight-time world champion dreams of equaling Valentino Rossi’s nine titles, but he knows that his moment could have passed due to the strength of many young riders who have grown and grown in his absence.
One of them is a Fabio Quartararo who was the leading driver who gave the most laps and that he finished seventh in a practice session that makes it clear that Yamaha does not want to show all its cards yet. The Japanese usually have the most balanced bike in the world. paddock and after leaving behind it was rossi they seek to remain a major player in MotoGP racing. The French, however, do not think the same and he has publicly stated that he hopes they will improve their bike to defend the crown.
at suzuki, Both Joan Mir and Alex Rins are smiling. They have the best cornering mount and their strength is that the bike is more tame than a Ducati which, on certain circuits, can be unruly. The Japanese have done a great job to be singled out as the team that takes the best care of tires in the entire world. paddock
Finally, we find the KTMs, who are a factory that seems destined for the rear positions. The Austrian team is stuck in the evolution of a motorcycle that surprised in its day and that now does not present great news, unfortunately for a Brad Binder who is one of the most spectacular and aggressive drivers on the grid.