World champion Jorge Lorenzo topped the timing sheets at the end of a dramatic three-day official test session at the Sepang International Circuit.
In a day where testing programs were cut short by rain, Lorenzo was the only rider to break the two-minute barrier, with a final time of 1.59.580. HIs quickest lap was almost a second faster than team mate Valentino Rossi, who set a best of 2.00.556. Although Rossi’s time has improved over the three-day test, he’s not likely to be happy about being so far off Lorenzo’s pace.
Marc Marquez ended the day 3rd with a time of 2.00.883. He was just 0.278 seconds ahead of team mate Dani Pedrosa in 6th. Though the pace of the factory Honda seems to have improved during the test, both Marquez and Pedrosa still aren’t happy with the power delivery of the engine. This will be a big worry for the team. New rules for 2016 dictate that there will be no engine development for Honda, Yamaha and Ducati throughout the season.
Finishing the test in 4th place was Cal Crutchlow, whose LCR Honda has made a big improvement over the three-day test. In 5th was Ducati test rider Casey Stoner, proving he has lost none of his natural speed since his retirement at the end of the 2012 season.
Fellow Ducati riders Danilo Petrucci (7th), Andrea Iannone (8th) and Scott Redding (9th) rounded out what was a strong test for the Bologna manufacturer. Suzuki’s Maverick Vinales completed the top 10 with a time just 1.664 off of Lorenzo’s best.
Track time was cut short by rain today. Nearly two and a half hours passed before any bikes took to the circuit, due to a slow-drying track after overnight rain. The rain came again at around halfway through the day’s session, forcing all riders into their pit garages until an hour and a half before the end of the test.
Although these test times aren’t a reflection of riders’ true best, Lorenzo’s lap will still be a huge psychological blow to his rivals. He was the only man able to set a time under two minutes, his lap just half a second slower than Pedrosa’s pole record set in qualifying last October.
All riders were restricted to running Michelin’s hard tyres today. The manufacturer had pulled all soft tyres from use after Loris Baz’ terrifying 290kph tyre failure during day two of the test session.
Testing resumes at Phillip Island in two weeks’ time.
