2019 Sepang MotoGP Tests

Bradley Smith has always been one of the main go-to guys for the media when it comes to explaining the intricate details of MotoGP riding.

Francesco Bagnaia may have stolen the rookie limelight with a stunning second fastest lap time at Sepang, but another MotoGP newcomer also made a big step relative to the 2018 tests.

Andrea Dovizioso feels trying to accurately gauge Honda’s pace at the start of 2019 pre-season testing is impossible due to Marc Marquez and Cal Crutchlow returning from their respective operations while Jorge Lorenzo is out injured.

Franco Morbidelli says racing against Valentino Rossi in MotoGP “is an extreme source of motivation” while he was impressed by the pace produced by rookie and fellow VR46 academy graduate Francesco Bagnaia at the Sepang test.

Cal Crutchlow says his ankle feels “better than expected” when riding his LCR Honda MotoGP bike but concedes when off it he feels “like I’ve been hit by a bus every morning”.

Jack Miller didn’t hide his approval of Ducati’s single-lap pace advantage at the end of the Sepang MotoGP test but concedes worries still remain about its long run speed against its rivals.

UPDATE: We can now see that the switch does indeed lower the rear of the bike for the race start...

Rookie Francesco Bagnaia thinks he has only understood 65% of what it takes to become a MotoGP rider, but that was still good enough to finish second fastest - under the all-time lap record - during this week's official Sepang test.

Danilo Petrucci became the fastest ever rider at the Sepang circuit with an all-time unofficial MotoGP record of 1m 58.239s on the final day of this week's test. But the Italian, who led four Ducatis at the top of the timesheets, was just as quick to play down the achievement.

Yamaha are not there yet, but Valentino Rossi can see the light at the end of the tunnel in terms of making the M1 a regular victory contender once again.

Andrea Dovizioso has dismissed Ducati’s domination on the final day of the Sepang MotoGP test as a nice show but ultimately unrepresentative of the whole grid’s true pace as he continues to demand “something more”.

The third and final day of the official 2019 Sepang MotoGP test saw the fastest ever two-wheel lap around the Malaysian circuit by Petrucci, as fellow Ducati riders Bagnaia, Miller and Dovizioso filled the top four places. Vinales was best of the rest for Yamaha.

Marc Marquez has conceded he didn’t think he would be fit enough to ride on the final day of the Sepang MotoGP test after suffering an inflammation to his recently-operated left shoulder.

The third and final day of the official 2019 Sepang MotoGP test got off to a flying start with Petrucci, Bagnaia, Miller, Dovizioso and Vinales beating the previous fastest ever two-wheel lap of the Malaysian circuit.

The third and final day of the official 2019 Sepang MotoGP test got off to a flying start with Petrucci, Bagnaia, Miller, Dovizioso and Vinales beating the previous fastest ever two-wheel lap of the Malaysian circuit.

CLICK HERE for live updates by Crash.net Crash.net is at Sepang for this week's first official MotoGP test of 2019, which concludes today (Friday).

Ducati wasn't the only team to give its prototype 2019 fairing a public debut on the final day of the Sepang MotoGP test.

The third and final day of the official 2019 Sepang MotoGP test got off to a flying start with Petrucci, Bagnaia, Miller, Dovizioso and Vinales beating the previous fastest ever two-wheel lap of the Malaysian circuit.

The third and final day of the official 2019 Sepang MotoGP test got off to a flying start with Petrucci, Bagnaia, Miller, Dovizioso and Vinales beating the previous fastest ever two-wheel lap of the Malaysian circuit. Petrucci later suffered a fall at turn 5, but is said to be okay.

The third and final day of the official 2019 Sepang MotoGP test got off to a flying start with Petrucci, Bagnaia, Miller, Dovizioso and Vinales beating the previous fastest ever two-wheel lap of the Malaysian circuit.

The third and final day of the official 2019 Sepang MotoGP test got off to a hot start with Petrucci, Bagnaia, Miller, Dovizioso and Vinales beating the previous fastest ever two-wheel lap of the Malaysian circuit.

The third and final day of the official 2019 Sepang MotoGP test has got off to a hot start with Petrucci, Miller, Dovizioso and Vinales beating the previous fastest ever two-wheel lap of the Malaysian circuit in the opening hour.

UPDATE 2: Danilo Petrucci fell at turn 5 while trying the new Ducati fairing, which Pramac's Jack Miller also received.

Vinales and Yamaha move to the top of the timesheets on day two of official 2019 MotoGP testing at Sepang, after a late push saw the Spaniard edge out countryman Rins (Suzuki) who in turn toppled long-time leader Dovizioso (Ducati).