Sport
Viales was the fastest on Day 2 of the Sepang Shakedown Test
Feb
Aprilia’s star returned to the RS-GP, HRC’s Bradl was back, and rookie Bezzecchi was the fastest of the rookies.
Maverick Viales of Aprilia Racing was fastest on Day 2 of the MotoGPTM Shakedown Test at the Sepang International Circuit, setting a time of 1:59.883 on his first day on track in 2022.
Because Aprilia is the only factory with concessions, Viales and Aleix Espargaro will be able to join the test riders and rookies on the track for the Shakedown. Viales was riding alongside Lorenzo Savadori, an Aprilia test rider.
Michele Pirro, Ducati Lenovo Team Test Rider, was back on the track for the Bologna brand, and the Italian was experimenting with some aero. Pirro reverted to the 2021 spec wings and side fairing, implying that he and Ducati are assessing whether the 2022 aero package is a step ahead.
After missing Day 1 of the Shakedown, HRC Test Rider Stefan Bradl was testing the new RC123V. The German was working on Honda’s second 2022 chassis, which had already been seen in Jerez at the conclusion of last year. The exhausts and tail unit have also been changed since the Jerez Test.
Marco Bezzecchi of the Mooney VR46 Racing Team was the fastest rookie on Day 2. The Italian set the fastest time of 2:00.734, which was just a bit faster than Raul Fernandez’s (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) 2:00.819. Darryn Binder (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGPTM Team) continued his transition to MotoGPTM, finishing little over a tenth behind than Remy Gardner (Tech3 KTM Factory Racing) in 2:01.177 while the latter recovers from a wrist injury. FElsewhere on rookie watch, Fabio Di Giannantonio (Gresini Racing MotoGP™) had to sit out Day 2 due to stomach problems. Hopefully, the Italian will be able to ride on the Shakedown’s third and final day.
During the Shakedown, Yamaha unveiled some new aero. It’s virtually the same, except the aero now extends all the way across the front of the air intake, much like the Aprilia RS-GP. Team Suzuki Ecstar was also talking about new wings, with Test Rider Sylvain Guintoli returning to the track for the Hamamatsu factory.
Take a peek at what the factories have been working on over the first two Shakedown Test days on the MotoGPTM Tech Facebook group.
The uniforms of MOTOGP racing drivers are currently available at the following websites for a reasonable price:
Lorenzo Savadori, Aleix Espargaro Bomber Jacket Aprilia
