Another fracture sidelines another MotoGP competitor following turmoil at Sepang

Fabio di Giannantonio's injury verified post-Sepang trial mishap

VR46 Ducati's Fabio Di Giannantonio will miss the remainder of the Sepang MotoGP testing due to a collarbone fracture sustained in a Wednesday crash.

The individual from Italy had to spend the winter recuperating, choosing to sit out the last two events of the 2024 season for a surgical procedure on his shoulder, which was dislocated during the Austrian Grand Prix.

In preparation for the upcoming pre-season, Di Giannantonio made his comeback to the racetrack at Mandalika last week, participating in an exclusive track event riding a Ducati Panigale V4.

During the Sepang trials on Wednesday, he was among the numerous riders who experienced crashes. Nonetheless, his VR46 squad initially declared him to be 'OK'.

VR46 has officially announced that Di Giannantonio has sustained a collarbone fracture and will be returning to Italy for surgical treatment, effectively sidelining him for the remainder of the testing period.

Francesco Bagnaia of Ducati disclosed that his injury occurred following a second fall at Turn 5 in the practice start session that took place at the day's conclusion.

"A brief announcement confirmed that Fabio Di Giannantonio sustained a fracture to his left collarbone as a result of his crash at Turn 5 during the Sepang Test."

"The rider from Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team is set to return to Italy this evening for a surgical procedure."

Di Giannantonio stands as one of the trio of racers equipped with the GP25 Ducati for this season and had to forego his initial chance to test the motorcycle in Barcelona last November because of a surgery on his shoulder.

With only a week remaining before the upcoming test in Buriram, Di Giannantonio faces a quick recovery period to ensure he can spend crucial time on the GP25 on the track before the season kicks off in Thailand.

Despite his accident, he finished Wednesday's session as the seventh quickest, having completed 49 laps.

He's among three cyclists returning home after the first day of trials because of an injury.

Prominently, current world champion Jorge Martin is set to go back to Spain to undergo surgery for several fractures, following a severe accident on his Aprilia.

Trackhouse Aprilia's Raul Fernandez will miss the remainder of the test, heading home for an operation on his fractured left hand.

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A new MotoGP rider is amazed at how quickly he has adjusted

"In the simulation, I felt incredibly comfortable…"

Last weekend, during the Shakedown, Fermin Aldeguer managed to carry out a Sprint simulation, demonstrating remarkable speed even after an initial crash.

"In the simulation, I felt amazing," he expressed. "I had a minor crash on the second lap, but once I got back on my bike, I carried on and the sensation was unbelievable."

"We plan to conduct another simulation tomorrow to compare the results from the Shakedown with our current status. This will help us assess our progress."

Indeed, Aldeguer is riding one of the most powerful motorcycles in MotoGP history during his debut season—the Ducati Desmosedici GP24. He is collaborating with crew chief Frankie Carchedi, who previously led Marc Marquez to three Grand Prix wins in 2024 and helped Joan Mir secure the championship in just his second year in the top class.

Nonetheless, even in just a few days as a MotoGP racer, Aldeguer has proven he can match the speed of much more seasoned riders using the same bikes.

Aldeguer acknowledged that he had an advantage over many of his competitors, having spent three extra days at the Sepang circuit this year due to his participation in last weekend's Shakedown. Despite this, when questioned if he was taken aback by how swiftly he adapted to the MotoGP bike, the Spanish rider confidently responded, "Yes, for sure."

"In the end, we complete an additional three days compared to the other riders," he went on to say, "yet the track remains identical for everyone, and we are present."

"We need to keep moving forward without focusing on rankings or time. It's all about following my instincts, adapting, and making significant progress each day."

Pirelli Comparable to Michelin

For all newcomers to MotoGP, like Aldeguer, getting used to the tyres is a crucial part of the transition. The Michelin tyres used in MotoGP have distinct features compared to the Dunlop tyres, and more recently, the Pirelli tyres that Aldeguer has experienced in Moto2.

"It's not the same since I've swapped out both the tyres and the bike, which is entirely new," Aldeguer explained.

"When riding a Moto2 bike, I can maintain speed through the middle of the corner. However, with the MotoGP bike, that approach doesn't lead to fast lap times. Instead, you need to brake aggressively and then rely on the electronics to accelerate out of the corner. I don't notice any difference in the tire during this process."

Aldeguer mentioned that Pirelli tires have comparable wear traits to Michelin tires, especially when contrasted with the Dunlop tires that were utilized in Moto2 up until the conclusion of 2023.

"In this regard, the Pirelli resembles the Michelin more closely because you can sense the decline in performance. You might need to use the same setting, but the experience is entirely different," Aldeguer explained.

"I am currently working to comprehend how to utilize this Michelin tire effectively, both when braking and when accelerating out of a turn."

One of the challenges in assessing the tyres during the test sessions in Sepang is the restricted availability of tyres, along with the fact that the medium-compound tyres are not well-suited to the conditions. As a result, the majority of riders opt to conserve their supply of soft tyres rather than utilize the medium ones.

Aldeguer mentioned that he opted for the soft compound tire exclusively because the medium option did not perform well.

"After witnessing the accidents yesterday, it's clear that now is not the time for risk-taking. It's wiser to remain cautious, avoid errors, and begin the season on a positive note to maintain our momentum."

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Aprilia provides an update on Jorge Martin following a serious crash during MotoGP testing

Aprilia leader Paolo Bonora shares the latest on Martin's condition

The sporting director of Aprilia has confirmed that Jorge Martin, the current MotoGP world champion, is doing well after his severe crash during the Sepang test. Martin is scheduled to undergo surgery in Spain on Friday.

On Wednesday, during the first day of testing in Malaysia, Martin experienced two crashes, the latter being a severe highside incident at Turn 2.

He sustained several broken bones and was transported to the hospital. As a result, Martin was unable to continue with the rest of the Sepang test, and his ability to join the Buriram test was highly uncertain.

In an interview with MotoGP.com's After the Flag, Bonora provided an encouraging update regarding Martin's health. He also mentioned that Aprilia had to intervene to prevent Martin from getting back on the track following his accident.

"We really want to focus on the good aspects of this situation," he stated.

"Firstly, we are extremely pleased that Jorge is doing well today. He is feeling at ease, had a restful night, and did not encounter any specific issues."

"We are pleased because following such a severe accident, everyone was concerned about his well-being."

"We're pleased with the situation. To be frank, the biggest challenge yesterday was getting him to relax; he was eager to get back on the track and was keen to find out about the progress of the test and what we were evaluating."

"It was amusing because he recovered so well. He is scheduled to undergo surgery in Spain tomorrow."

"We are currently awaiting the results of the medical evaluation and their official announcement."

"We are now anticipating only good outcomes in relation to him, as his strength and skills are essential for us, and we are eager for his return."

On Wednesday, Aprilia's CEO, Massimo Rivola, stated that the data indicated the bike had no problems and that Martin's actions during the crash were not out of the ordinary.

Although Martin's absence has hindered Aprilia's testing schedule, Bonora notes that a successful initial run with Lorenzo Savadori has mitigated the impact.

"In this case, we were fortunate as we conducted an excellent trial run with Lorenzo," he mentioned.

"We examined each component that was included in our plan."

By the time the formal IRTA (International Race Teams’ Association) test took place, we already had a comprehensive understanding of the pros and cons of the new components.

"Lorenzo performed exceptionally well. To be fair and completely truthful, Marco provided us with a wealth of straightforward information over these two days. He maintained consistency in his approach."

"He ignored the timings and concentrated entirely on his strategy, resulting in a highly successful test for our team."

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A newcomer to MotoGP is amazed at how quickly he has adjusted to the sport's demands. "During the simulation, I was really comfortable…"

During the Shakedown last weekend, Fermin Aldeguer managed to conduct a Sprint simulation where he demonstrated remarkable speed, even though he experienced a crash early on.

"In the simulation, I felt amazing," he mentioned. "I had a minor crash on the second lap, but after getting back on my bike, I carried on and the sensation was incredible."

"We'll conduct another simulation tomorrow to compare the Shakedown with the current situation and assess our progress."

Indeed, Aldeguer is riding one of the most powerful motorcycles in MotoGP history, the Ducati Desmosedici GP24, during his debut season. He is collaborating with crew chief Frankie Carchedi, who previously guided Marc Marquez to three Grand Prix wins in 2024 and helped Joan Mir secure the championship in just his second year in the top class.

However, it's also accurate to say that within just a few days of starting as a MotoGP rider, Aldeguer has already proven he can match the speed of riders with significantly more experience on similar bikes.

Aldeguer acknowledged that he has three additional days of practice on the Sepang track compared to many of his competitors, thanks to participating in the Shakedown last weekend. Despite this advantage, when questioned whether his swift adjustment to the MotoGP bike had caught him off guard, the Spanish rider confidently responded, “Yes, for sure.”

"In the end, we complete an additional three days compared to the other riders," he added, "yet the track remains consistent for everyone, and we are present."

"We need to keep going this way—ignoring our rank and the clock. It's all about trusting my instincts, adjusting to the situation, and making significant progress each day."

Pirelli Comparable to Michelin

Aldeguer, like all newcomers to MotoGP, must adjust to the distinct nature of the tyres. The Michelin tyres used in MotoGP offer different features compared to the Dunlops and, more recently, the Pirellis that Aldeguer has experienced while competing in Moto2.

"The situation is not the same since I replaced the tyres and also modified the bike; it's now entirely different," stated Aldeguer.

"When riding the Moto2, I maintain speed through the apex of the turn, whereas with the MotoGP bike, although it's possible, it's not the optimal way to achieve high speeds. The key is to apply strong braking and then rely on the bike's electronics to accelerate out of the corner. I haven't noticed any difference in the tire performance."

Aldeguer mentioned that the Pirelli tires have comparable wear properties to the Michelin tires, especially when contrasted with the Dunlops that Moto2 used until the conclusion of 2023.

Aldeguer mentioned that, in this regard, the Pirelli is akin to the Michelin, as you can sense more of the decline, and although you might need to use a similar approach, the experience is entirely distinct.

"I'm currently figuring out how to handle this Michelin tire, including its performance during braking and when accelerating out of turns, and that's all there is to it."

One of the challenges in grasping how the tires perform during the test sessions in Sepang is the restricted number of tires available. Additionally, the medium-compound tires don't match the conditions well, causing most riders to opt for conserving their soft tires rather than using the medium ones.

Aldeguer mentioned that he exclusively utilized the soft compound tyre, as he found the medium compound to be less effective.

"Given the crashes we witnessed yesterday, now is not the time to take unnecessary risks. It's wiser to remain cautious, avoid making errors, and begin the season on a positive note without losing direction."

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Fabio Quartararo reveals the significance of a one-word message on his dashboard that serves as a reminder.

"He shares that his natural inclination on the track is to give it his all…"

On the inaugural day of the Sepang MotoGP trials, it marked Fabio Quartararo's third day on the Malaysian tracks, wherein his cockpit, he's adopted a single-word note as a mnemonic aid.

On the first day at Sepang, Quartararo was observed with the term 'smooth' displayed in his rider cockpit, which he mentioned was part of a deliberate attempt to alter his riding technique.

"Quartararo mentioned that it became apparent to him last year, particularly during the period they began focusing on the electronics, which he notes were from Thailand, that the Ducati was operating in a certain manner. He expressed a strong desire to overhaul the electronics entirely by himself."

"When I'm on the track, my natural impulse is to give it everything I've got and to fully utilize the bike at all opportunities."

"Yet, there are moments when moving at a slower pace actually leads to greater speed. This is why I always keep the word 'smooth' in view on my dashboard, as a constant reminder to stay relaxed while riding."

In general, Quartararo felt optimistic about the initial day of the official testing session.

"Essentially, today involved testing various electronic components, revisiting several configurations we heavily examined during the Shakedown. It was primarily about reconfirming those findings," he explained.

"The day turned out well for us, particularly for the engineers, as it provided clarity on the path we need to follow."

Quartararo further stated, "I'm trying not to get ahead of myself with optimism. I believe we're proceeding in the right direction."

"Today marks just the initial day of the examination, and we still need to observe the following ones."

It's evident that a number of them accelerated quickly right from the first day, yet now we've been here for three days.

"Thus, it's important for us to maintain impartiality and strive for efficiency; then, we'll assess our situation in Thailand."

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Fabio Quartararo reveals the significance of a single-word dashboard message that serves as a reminder:

"The moment I hit the track, my natural reaction is to give it everything I've got…"

The inaugural session of the Sepang MotoGP trials marked Fabio Quartararo's third day on the Malaysian tracks, where he has a single-word note in his cockpit for motivation.

On the first day at Sepang, Quartararo was observed with the term ‘smooth’ displayed in his rider cockpit, a detail he mentioned was linked to a deliberate attempt to modify how he rides.

"Quartararo mentioned that it became evident to him last year, particularly during the period they began focusing on the electronics aspect of their work, which he noted was largely based out of Thailand. He observed a distinct direction in which Ducati was headed and expressed a strong desire to overhaul the electronics entirely by himself."

"When I'm out on the track, my gut reaction is to give it everything I've got and to fully utilize the bike every moment."

"However, there are times when moving at a more deliberate pace actually helps you speed up. Thus, I constantly keep the term 'smooth' displayed on my dashboard. It serves as a constant reminder for me to stay relaxed while riding the bike."

Overall, Quartararo had an optimistic view of his initial day at the official test.

"Essentially, today involved testing electronics, focusing on several configurations we extensively evaluated during the Shakedown. It served primarily as a reconfirmation," he explained.

"The day turned out well for our team, particularly for the engineers, as it provided clearer insight into the path we must follow."

Quartararo further stated, "I'm hesitant to be overly optimistic right off the bat. I believe we're approaching this in a positive manner.

"Today marks just the initial day of the examination, and there are more days ahead to observe."

"From the get-go, several participants quickly made their move on the initial day, yet now we've been here for three days."

"Therefore, it's essential for us to remain impartial and strive for efficiency to ascertain our position in Thailand."

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Stand-in for Jorge Martin shares insights on Aprilia's progress while he is sidelined

Even with Jorge Martin injured, Aprilia's testing goes on at Sepang

Lorenzo Savadori is handling most of the testing tasks for Aprilia, which were originally supposed to be managed by Jorge Martin.

MotoGP titleholder Martin will miss the last two days of the official testing at Sepang following a severe accident on Wednesday.

Raul Fernandez from Trackhouse suffered a crash and sustained injuries on Wednesday, resulting in Aprilia having only half of their riders available.

Consequently, test rider Savadori has been assigned to take over for Martin.

"We don't have my personal test bike here; instead, we have the bike used by the official racers," Savadori mentioned on Thursday in Sepang.

"We experimented with various aerodynamic designs and an alternative electronic setup."

"Our primary aim is to work on enhancing the bike itself, rather than concentrating on its performance. It's important for us to gain a clearer understanding of certain solutions."

"In certain areas, we're implementing elements for the first time. During the initial testing phase, we lacked the time to do so."

Savadori asserts that Aprilia is advancing in resolving their issues with the motorcycle's braking capabilities.

"Indeed, this bicycle represents an improvement over the previous model, particularly in terms of braking capabilities," he mentioned.

"It's not sufficient, but it's a small move in the right direction."

Enhancements have been made to both the handling of the bike and the engine's braking system

"A combination of factors," Savadori mentioned. "The RS-25 hasn't undergone significant modifications. Overall, the bike's performance and balance were satisfactory. We made progress in certain aspects."

Jorge Martin is no longer in the race, yet Aprilia continues to compete. According to Savadori, Aprilia has made advancements in how they manage power output, engine deceleration, and grip control.

"We implemented changes and enhancements at every stage," he stated.

However, they continue to face problems with their back tire, and a solution has not been found yet.

"It's a challenging task," stated Savadori.

In this trial, we're collaborating on this project. It's more complex than just handling the electronic components.

"It's essential to grasp the direction and evaluate the information; this is a significant task."

“Jorge isn’t available to participate, so I’m stepping in to take his place.”

Savadori has not been able to focus on improving the Aprilia's performance across various temperature conditions.

"I haven't found the time to give this a try," he remarked.

"For Aprilia, the initial testing phase lasted for three days. I evaluated the bike to ensure all components functioned properly."

"I wasn't able to attempt everything. Perhaps we'll give it a shot during this trial."

Statements given by Peter McLaren in Sepang

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Replacement for Jorge Martin outlines Aprilia's progress during his absence

Despite Jorge Martin's injury, Aprilia's testing at Sepang moves forward

Lorenzo Savadori has taken on most of the testing tasks for Aprilia, which were originally supposed to be handled by Jorge Martin.

MotoGP titleholder Martin will not participate in the last two days of the official testing at Sepang due to a severe accident he experienced on Wednesday.

Raul Fernandez from Trackhouse had an accident and suffered an injury on Wednesday, resulting in Aprilia having only half of their riders available.

Savadori, serving as the test rider, is assigned to take over for Martin.

On Thursday in Sepang, Savadori mentioned that they did not have his test bike but instead had the bike meant for the official riders.

"We experimented with various aerodynamic designs and implemented an alternative electronic setup."

"Our priority is to work on enhancing the bike rather than concentrating on its performance. We must gain a clearer understanding of certain solutions."

"We utilized certain components here for the first time. During the initial testing phase, we didn't have enough time."

Savadori asserts that Aprilia is advancing in resolving their issue with halting the motorcycle.

"Indeed, this bicycle represents an improvement over the previous model, particularly when it comes to the effectiveness of the brakes," he remarked.

"It's never sufficient, but it's a small move in the right direction."

Enhancements can be seen in both the motorcycle's handling and the engine's braking capabilities.

"The RS-25 hasn't undergone major modifications," Savadori explained. "Overall, the bike's handling and balance were satisfactory. We've made progress in certain aspects."

Jorge Martin is out of the race, yet Aprilia continues to compete fiercely. According to Savadori, the team has made significant advancements in how they deliver power, manage engine braking, and control traction.

"We carried out modifications and enhancements at every stage," he stated.

However, the problem with their back tire continues and remains unresolved.

"It's quite challenging work," commented Savadori.

"In this experiment, I'm involved, and our objective is to achieve this goal. It's more complex than just interacting with the electronic components."

"It is important to grasp the overall direction and thoroughly examine the data, as this is a significant task."

"Jorge is unavailable to ride, so I am stepping in for him."

Savadori hasn't been able to improve the Aprilia's performance across varying temperatures.

"I truly haven't found the time to give this a shot," he mentioned.

"For Aprilia, the initial test session lasted three days. I evaluated the motorcycle to ensure all components were functioning properly."

"I didn't get the chance to try all the options. Perhaps we can attempt it during this trial."

Statements given by Peter McLaren in Sepang

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Pecco Bagnaia: Jorge Martin's crash was "the most unfortunate manner imaginable"

"It's perhaps a reminder for some enthusiasts that handling these motorcycles is not as simple as it seems…"

Francesco Bagnaia attributes Jorge Martin's accident during the MotoGP Sepang trial to misfortune rather than excessive risk-taking.

Current MotoGP titleholder Martin experienced two falls during his initial day testing the Aprilia RS-GP, marking just his second day with the team. His second mishap involved a high-side accident at the second turn, resulting in broken bones in his left hand and foot. Consequently, he was unable to participate in the following two days of the official testing session.

"When asked about his thoughts on the risks associated with MotoGP after spending a few months away from riding, Bagnaia responded that it truly doesn't cross his mind, especially after the initial day in Sepang."

"It's always a possibility, yet today proved to be an unfortunate day as Martin took a fall and ended up back in the garage. Furthermore, during his first timed lap, he experienced another crash, this time a significant one."

Perhaps the back tire hadn't sufficiently heated up due to it being of a harder type, which typically doesn't perform as well. There's also a possibility that the temperature wasn't optimal, leading to a crash similar to the one Marc Marquez experienced in 2019.

"For me, it's an unfortunate circumstance, but I'm holding onto the hope that he'll soon return to Thailand, or at the very least, be prepared for the opening race."

"He didn't take a risk today; instead, he had an accident at the slowest turn, in the most unfortunate manner, but it's an incident that can occur.

"Perhaps it's worth noting for certain enthusiasts that handling these motorcycles is not as straightforward as it might seem."

Improved power output but diminished braking on the GP25

Regarding Bagnaia's performance, it was somewhat subdued when it came to lap times, with the three-time World Champion ending up in 17th place, trailing by 1.392 seconds behind the leading time posted by Fabio Quartararo.

However, the Italian mentioned that his ability to run was restricted because of a shortage of tyres, which also hindered his capacity to accurately evaluate the newly introduced Desmosedici GP25 in relation to its previous model, the GP24.

"Bagnaia expressed challenges in evaluating the motorcycles, citing a shortage of tyres as a significant impediment to conducting thorough tests. He referred to the initial day of the season as more of a day for making sacrifices."

"Frankly, our approach was to begin sifting through everything. Therefore, we kicked things off with the most significant aspect and quickly realized, through our experiences with another specification, that it wasn't quite effective. However, a change in perspective came thanks to Marc [Marquez], who managed to perform an impressive time attack on the GP24 towards the day's end, giving us a clearer sense of direction."

"We've gathered a significant amount of information to go through, and I believe we performed exceptionally well today. Our instincts were largely in sync, which reaffirms our trust. We opted for an alternative approach and ultimately united towards the day's end."

"Therefore, we provided a substantial amount of information to the technicians and engineers, and by tomorrow, we'll have a clear starting point."

Although hesitant to make a firm judgment about the GP25 when compared to the 2024 bike, Bagnaia nonetheless offered some insights into the distinct traits of the new motorcycle.

"The GP25 offers an improved experience with its power output, providing a smoother and more accurate performance, especially when compared to the slightly rougher transitions experienced with the GP24," he commented.

"However, the standout feature of the GP24 was its braking and entry capabilities, which currently, the GP25 hasn't matched yet. Therefore, we need to focus on improving it, though fortunately, there's ample time available for this task."

Bagnaia explained that the engine seems to be influencing his perception that the GP25's braking capabilities are not as good as the GP24's, but he mentioned it's not a matter of inertia.

"He believes it's primarily the engine's build rather than its inertia," he commented.

"Possibly, it's the arrangement."

The Italian mentioned that on Wednesday, he was utilizing the GP24 chassis to concentrate more on the advancements of the new engine.

"Today's setup was the GP24 frame, but with an updated engine," he explained. "Our priority is to get to grips with the engine first, before integrating the new frame."

"Diggia [Fabio Di Giannantonio], who was already utilizing the updated chassis, expressed satisfaction with the braking performance, indicating optimism for its effectiveness."

The postponement of the launch of the updated chassis can be attributed to the limited testing period available prior to the season's start. Additionally, the decision is influenced by the freeze on engine development set for 2026.

"Bagnaia explained that the primary reason for Ducati's decision to prioritize engine testing is the limited time available, unlike before, when inquired about the impact of the upcoming development freeze."

"After completing a five-day testing period, we'll head to Thailand for the initial race a week later."

"Essentially, the most critical aspect, the foremost priority, is to grasp the engine's mechanics, as history has shown us the need to occasionally take a step back, which we aim to avoid this time around. The GP24 was an outstanding motorcycle in several ways, and our goal is to enhance those qualities."

"In my perspective, the engine performs excellently when accelerating, particularly in power output. However, we need to enhance the braking system, and I believe we already have a solution in mind."

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2025 Sepang MotoGP Official Test: Franco Morbidelli Dominates Second Day as Marc Marquez Suffers Crash

Thursday sees VR46 Ducati's Franco Morbidelli take the lead in Malaysia.

On the second day of the 2025 MotoGP test in Sepang, Franco Morbidelli steered his VR46-managed Ducati GP24 to the leading position, while Marc Marquez, riding for the factory team, encountered a crash towards the end of the session.

Following an intense start to the event on Wednesday, which resulted in the reigning world champion Jorge Martin, Trackhouse Racing's Raul Fernandez, and VR46's Fabio Di Giannantonio being sidelined due to injuries, Thursday unfolded in a significantly more tranquil manner.

For a significant portion of the day, Morbidelli dominated the leaderboard, claiming first place during the second hour with a time of 1:57.210.

Despite Morbidelli's attempt to set a fast lap on new tires towards the end, his time remained unbeaten when the session concluded with the waving of the chequered flag at 6 p.m. local time.

Morbidelli, set to keep racing the GP24 from the previous year, led ahead of his former Yamaha teammate, Fabio Quartararo.

The 2021 world champion maintained a strong performance on the M1, as Quartararo surged into second position towards the end with a time of 1 minute and 57.324 seconds.

Alex Marquez and his rookie teammate, Fermin Aldeguer, both riding for Gresini Racing, secured the third and fourth positions on their GP24 motorcycles.

On Thursday, Aldeguer completed just 26 laps following his participation in the shakedown. His team, Gresini, opted to sideline him early to prevent him from pushing beyond his limits.

Francesco Bagnaia, a rider for the factory Ducati team, finished in fifth place.

On Thursday, Bagnaia completed 42 laps and recorded his fastest time at 1 minute and 57.652 seconds, despite experiencing a minor mishap earlier in the session.

On Thursday, both riders from the official Ducati team ended up in the gravel, as Pecco Bagnaia's teammate, Marc Marquez, had a fall during the last 15 minutes of the session.

The racer, who has won the grand prix world championship eight times, emerged uninjured from the crash. He secured the 14th position with a time of 1 minute and 58.447 seconds, as he couldn't finish the lap that could have potentially been his fastest when he took the fall.

Joan Mir secured the sixth position riding the factory Honda, while Pedro Acosta, despite a crash on Thursday, emerged as the top KTM rider, finishing in seventh place, just ahead of Pramac Yamaha's Miguel Oliveira.

Marco Bezzecchi excelled as the top Aprilia rider, securing ninth place with a lap time of 1 minute and 57.995 seconds. This was an improvement from his Thursday performance, where he recorded a 1 minute and 59.207 seconds on his new factory RS-GP

Jack Miller secured a spot in the top 10 while riding the other Pramac Yamaha. The Australian was observed testing a new Yamaha frame on the second day of the official testing session.

Michele Pirro has been called up to take over for Di Giannantonio and completed 46 laps, placing 21st. Meanwhile, in Martin's absence, Aprilia assigned Lorenzo Savadori to the track.

After completing 51 laps, the Italian racer found himself at the bottom of the timing charts.

Results from Thursday's MotoGP Test in Sepang

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Marc Marquez Experiences Slight Improvement with GP25, Yet Faces Challenges at Sepang MotoGP Trials

Promising Beginnings in Pre-Season Trials for the Eight-Time World Champion

Marc Marquez has noted that the newest version of the Ducati, introduced at the Sepang MotoGP test, shows some improvement over the GP25 model he tested in November, although he mentions there are still "some problems" that need addressing.

Last year, Marquez had the experience of competing on the GP23 with Gresini. However, it was in the November post-season test that he first sampled the factory Ducati equipment, taking the GP24 and a prototype of the GP25 for a spin.

Ducati introduced an improved version of its GP25 motorcycle for the Sepang trials happening this week, an advancement from the model presented in Barcelona. During Wednesday's testing session in Malaysia, Marquez achieved the second quickest time.

Marquez mentions that the bike's fundamental "idea" remains consistent, yet in certain aspects, it seems "improved," although there are a few initial problems that need addressing.

"From the very first ride, I felt incredibly comfortable on the bike, as if I hadn't spent two months away from MotoGP," Marquez commented.

This simplifies the process significantly, as possessing that sense enhances the accuracy of your feedback, which is crucial at this juncture given our experimentation with numerous approaches.

"Today, for instance, our primary focus was on the engine, similar to every other manufacturer, because once the engine is homologated, it remains unchanged for the entire year."

"We made an effort to concentrate on our tasks. A significant plus was that Pecco and I shared the same feedback again."

Within the team, each cyclist began pursuing distinct strategies, yet both aimed to achieve the same objective.

"Okay, let's take it one step at a time. We're in the process of adjusting the balance of the bike. It's common to encounter a few issues when you introduce a new bike to the track, but thankfully, our team is addressing them effectively."

"In essence, the idea of the bicycle for the cyclist during the act of riding remains largely unchanged."

"There are a few variances compared to the bike model from November."

Indeed, efforts are being made to address the issues. The situation has somewhat improved compared to Barcelona. Regarding the 2024 bike, it's designed to be used for a year; you begin with it, and it functions as expected.

"However, when you acquire a new bicycle, it's essential to discover its equilibrium and explore various aspects."

"For this purpose, our approach differs – both myself and Pecco [Bagnaia], yet we exchange numerous observations.

"It seems like three days is a lengthy period, but in reality, it's quite brief and passes quickly."

Marc Marquez highlights characteristics of the GP25

Marquez notes significant differences with the GP25, mentioning the engine's enhanced "smoothness" and Ducati's apparent success in boosting its power.

"He mentioned that the engine appears to be operating more smoothly, which is a positive feature for the rider."

"Consistently, the goal is to enhance our power; this, too, we've managed to accomplish somewhat. However, this introduces various issues that, in my opinion, can be resolved through electronic solutions and their capabilities."

He also mentioned that he is "very confident in the braking stability" on the GP25.

Regarding his physical state, Marquez mentions he's in improved shape compared to the onset of the 2024 pre-season, but acknowledges that his advancing age and past injuries are impacting his training regimen.

"Today, I personally felt quite well," he mentioned.

"However, the real test comes tomorrow. I anticipate feeling more discomfort [physically] then. Indeed, it marks the onset of the initial winter… given that the previous winter season was favorable, but I underwent the arm pump surgery."

"This winter, I dedicated myself to rigorous training, focusing on motocross with a lot of caution, aiming to maintain optimal physical fitness."

Certainly, I have to put in extra effort beyond my normal routine, especially considering my age at 32, as that might be one of the factors.

"However, I believe it's largely due to the injuries I've sustained, requiring me to put in extra effort. I've come to terms with it and commit to the work. Out of the 24 hours in a day, half are dedicated to caring for my body."

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Joan Mir shares excitement over his Honda's peak performance

Joan Mir experienced his best day with a Honda on Wednesday

Joan Mir expressed that the initial day of MotoGP trials in Malaysia before the 2025 season commenced was his most successful with Honda, stating, “we are very confident about every advancement we've achieved.”

Since making the move to Honda in 2023, the champion of the world from 2020 has faced challenging times. Over the last two years, his performance saw a significant dip, culminating in a mere 21 points and a 21st place finish in the rankings last season.

During the winter season, Honda has significantly ramped up its efforts to change its trajectory, particularly by bringing on board Romano Albesiano from Aprilia to serve as its technical director.

During Wednesday's testing session at Sepang, the motorcycle Mir piloted on the circuit was not impacted by Albesiano's designs, yet there was evident improvement noted in the RC213V's performance.

Finishing the day in sixth place overall following 54 laps, Mir tested out two different models of the Honda.

When questioned about whether this was his most successful test day with Honda, Mir responded, "Indeed, today it was."

Joan Mir elaborates on Honda's progress

Mir, who noted his consistent improvement, shared, "Our performance improved throughout the day, showing speed both on worn tires and fresh ones."

"I feel pleased because, to a large extent, we grasped the direction we aim to pursue throughout this trial.

"We've discovered a configuration and design that enables my riding style, a style I couldn't achieve in the latter half of the previous season."

Honda has now introduced a package that enables me to accomplish this. With every departure, I found myself joyful, always smiling due to the pleasure I experienced while riding the bike.

"Our bicycle doesn't pick up speed on straight paths, in fact, it's the least speedy among the competition. However, we've definitely made progress in those straight sections, and I'm confident we're not falling behind by more than three or four tenths on the two straights [at Sepang].

"Therefore, this signifies that we can significantly reduce the distance between us due to advancements made in the braking zone."

"I managed to apply the brakes in the way I'm accustomed to. I could make the turns. Despite the persistent vibration, I found a way to handle it somehow. They put in a lot of effort, and truly, it was worthwhile."

"We still need to improve our grip and top speed. Over the next couple of days, those will be our primary focus areas."

"I wish for us to move past everything we attempted today, avoiding repetition, as we've had a successful day of experimentation."

"We are extremely confident in every move we've taken. It's truly excellent and brings me joy."

Joan Mir highlights a significant shortfall in Honda's performance, pointing out the rear grip deficiency in recent models.

Mir has stated that while there hasn't been an enhancement in "pure grip", the improved ability to turn the bike has contributed positively in this aspect.

"He mentioned that they primarily enhanced the steering."

"We enhanced the aerodynamics, along with various other aspects."

"We managed to enhance the ground effect slightly in the turning zone, which in turn boosted the grip. This is because higher speeds allow for more accurate throttle control, resulting in increased grip."

"We didn't start from scratch, which enhanced our hold. However, regarding absolute traction, we didn't make any progress today."

On Wednesday, the latest addition to the Honda captured interest, yet Mir was elusive about the specific goals of the Japanese brand, stating, "I'm not at liberty to discuss it much. The reality is, it's not the most attractive feature. Beyond that, I don't have much to say."

Comments shared by Crash MotoGP Editor Peter McLaren

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