Bastianini sets unofficial MotoGP Sepang lap record on day two testing

English Woman's Journal - Bastianini sets unofficial MotoGP Sepang lap record on day two testing

Weather - London 9°C

Bastianini sets unofficial MotoGP Sepang lap record on day two testing

SPORTS 07.02.2024

Bastianini sets unofficial MotoGP Sepang lap record on day two testing / Photo: MOHD RASFAN - AFP

Italian Enea Bastianini shattered the MotoGP unofficial lap record at the Sepang Circuit during a dramatic second day pre-season test on Wednesday just hours after day one fastest rider Jorge Martin achieved it.

Change text size:

Spaniard Martin had picked up from where he left off by eclipsing his lap time from Tuesday to clock 1 min 57.273 sec on his Ducati machine barely an hour into Wednesday's session under scorching conditions in Malaysia.

Martin's record lasted for seven hours until Bastianini blitzed through the track to set 1 min 57.134 sec on his Ducati Lenovo to ensure the day belonged to him.

South African Brad Binder completed the top three just under a hundredth of a second behind Martin, while Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro came in fourth ahead of reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia in fifth.

The 26-year-old Bastianini, who also won last year's Malaysian GP, smiled when asked by reporters if he could dip to 1 min 56 sec.

"It can be possible but we will first have to see how the track conditions are. It will be interesting to see if we can do the 56. It is important to be fast on the lap time, I am happy about this. I am more confident on the bike this year," he said.

"I know what to expect. There will be pressure to always do a faster lap, but you also have to stay calm," Bastianini added.

Martin, meanwhile, was looking forward to further fine-tuning his bike ahead of Thursday's session.

"I hope tomorrow we can understand the way to go and maybe do some changes on the bike to improve the feeling," the 26-year-old said.

The final day of testing takes place tomorrow.

Pre-Season MotoGP test times on Wednesday at the Sepang Circuit (5.543km):

Enea Bastianini (ITA/Ducati) 1 min 57.134 sec, Jorge Martin (ESP/Ducati) 1 min 57.273 sec, Brad Binder (RSA/KTM) 1 min 57.327 sec, Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 1 min 57.446 sec, Francesco Bagnaia (ITA/Ducati) 1 min 57.469 sec, Fabio Di Giannantonio (ITA/Ducati) 1 min 57.619 sec, Alex Marquez (ESP/Ducati) 1 min 57.672 sec, Pedro Acosta (ESP/KTM) 1 min 57.726 sec, Marco Bezzecchi (ITA/Ducati) 1 min 57.867 sec, Joan Mir (ESP/Honda) 1 min 57.872 sec

St.Reid--EWJ

Featured

FA Cup Second-Round Draw Confirmed for Non-League and Midlands Clubs

The FA Cup second-round draw has been finalized, setting up crucial ties for non-league teams aiming to reach the third round proper. Several clubs from the Midlands, including Burton Albion and Kidderminster Harriers, have secured their next opponents following recent victories over lower-league opposition.

Panthers expected to begin 2027 NRL season away from new stadium

The new Penrith Stadium is expected to be ready in time for the opening round of the 2027 NRL season, but it’s still likely the Panthers is expected to be on the road for their early matches. There is no delay to the build of the new $309 million venue but there’s a lack of appetite for risk around weather delays through the summer.

Virginia overwhelms Arkansas 91-72 behind balanced scoring

WASHINGTON (AP) — Thijs De Ridder scored 16 points, one of five players in double figures for No. 9 Virginia as the Cavaliers routed No.

Tayyab Arif hits 57 on Pakistan Test debut against Sri Lanka

RAWALPINDI, Pakistan (AP) — Tayyab Arif smashed an aggressive half-century on debut and provided a new-look Pakistan lineup a confident start to the first cricket test against Sri Lanka on Monday. The 20-year-old Tayyab struck nine boundaries and a six in his 57-run knock as Pakistan reached 137-2 at lunch on a greenish wicket that lured Sri Lanka captain Kusal Mendis to bowl first after winning the toss.

Change text size: