Sepang International Circuit remains the host,
and the whole class of 2019 is now ready to
rumble and head out on track for three days of
Official Test.
So who’s that? There are a few key changes in
2019. Perhaps the biggest is one that won’t be
out on track in Malaysia, however, as Jorge
Lorenzo sits out the test due to injury. That
leaves Repsol Honda teammate and reigning
Champion Marc Marquez the only rider in orange,
and he’ll be an interesting one to watch as he
himself also continues his recovery from injury –
although he has, at least, been out on a mini
bike. After a winter away, how will the Champion
feel back on a bike? Marquez will undoubtedly be
the focus of many a Sepang spotlight.
That’s an even bigger question for Cal Crutchlow
(LCR Honda Castrol), as the Brit has been off a
motorcycle since his crash during the Australian
Grand Prix weekend. Breaking his ankle badly and
taking some serious time to recover, the three-
time Grand Prix winner has had a long winter –
but he’ll be back out now, working for his own
season and Honda. Stefan Bradl (Honda Test
Team) will be another out there working for the
Japanese factory, and one more Honda will be in
action: Takaaki Nakagami (LCR Honda Idemitsu).
The Japanese rider topped the Jerez Test and will
want to translate that pace into some impressive
laptimes around Sepang, too.
The newly-named Mission Winnow Ducati squad
will be an interesting duo. Andrea Dovizioso has
become a mainstay of the podium, the top step
and the top echelons of the Championship, and it
was a Ducati who did the fastest lap at the test
last season – although not his. Now it’s a
different benchmark sharing the red garage, with
Danilo Petrucci moving up to the factory team
and the Borgo Panigale duo eager to keep
showing the incredible form that has
characterized the last two seasons. How will
Petrucci settle in?
Alma Pramac Racing’s two Ducati machines will
be out on track as well, with Jack Miller now the
experienced rider in the squad and aiming for
another step forward this year. That’s as
Francesco Bagnaia joins him in the team, and the
hotly-tipped rookie and reigning Moto2â„¢
Champion will be one to watch. Reale Avintia
Racing’s Tito Rabat will be back at fuller strength
after his injury last season, and Karel Abraham
moves to the team to join the Spaniard – on a
GP18, moving two iterations forward in one leap.
Meanwhile at Yamaha, the test will be crucial.
After problems throughout much of last season
and some key issues identified, the Iwata marque
have been all hands on deck over winter and the
Sepang Test will give some indications as to the
progress made. A veritable armada of Yamaha
riders will be on track, too – Valentino Rossi
(Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) and teammate
Maverick Viñales top the bill, but there’s also test
riders Jonas Folger, Katsuyuki Nakasuga and
Kohta Nozane expected to take part.
In addition, Petronas Yamaha SRT join the fold.
The new team have Yamaha machinery and the
tantalising line up of Franco Morbidelli and rookie
Fabio Quartararo, with a lot of interest focused on
both men. The new team and the test rider count
also means the Iwata marque outnumber any
other manufacturer at the first test of the season.
Team Suzuki Ecstar field Alex Rins, another man
aiming for a consistent challenge at the front this
season, and another hotly-tipped rookie in Joan
Mir. They also have a test rider present in the
form of Sylvain Guintoli, with both the veteran
Frenchman and Rins, now a sophomore, adding
some continuity to the Hamamatsu factory’s
programme as Mir settles into life in the premier
class. Suzuki no longer have concessions,
however, after an impressive season last year…
could that play a role in their 2019? After some
more difficult directional decisions for 2017, the
factory want to make sure they have another
stellar campaign.
Red Bull KTM Factory Racing arrive with big
designs on the season ahead, too. After a final
round that saw incredible success for the Austrian
factory in all three classes, and injury struggles
largely behind them, there’s a lot of expectation
around the newest factory on the block. For one,
Johann Zarco is a man in the spotlight, as is new
teammate Pol Espargaro after taking their first
ever podium in Valencia. Test rider Mika Kallio is
back from injury, the only bad news for KTM is
the continuing recovery of new signing Dani
Pedrosa. But they also have two more machines
out on track – Hafizh Syahrin and Miguel Oliveira
of Red Bull KTM Tech 3, a sophomore and a
rookie but two riders who are both new to the
machine.
Finally, Aprilia Racing Team Gresini have some
exciting additions for 2019. Andrea Iannone joins
the Noale factory alongside Aleix Espargaro, and
the Italian squad now have test rider Bradley
Smith’s experience to call on as they continue
developing the RS-GP. All three will be on track
at Sepang, and they’ll be aiming to gather
important information to help guide their season
after some struggles in 2018.
Join motogp.com on February 6th, 7th and 8th
for reports, reactions, interviews and highlights
during and after each day, with the riders on track
between 10:00 – 18:00 local time (GMT +8). In
addition, starting at 17:30 local time, live After
the Flag episodes at the end of each day provide
in-depth analysis as well as live reactions from
the riders. It's our first look at the season, so
don't miss it!
source:
www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/sports/30363609
