MotoGP™2023 PRESEASON OVERVIEW
Different year , but same old story ? Preseason for the 2023 MotoGP™ season suggested Ducati has picked up from where it left off in November .
The winners of last year ’ s triple crown flexed its muscles in the year ’ s first preseason test at Sepang , with Mooney VR46 ’ s Luca Marini leading reigning World Champion Pecco Bagnaia ( Lenovo Ducati ) with a lap of 1m57.889 . More worryingly for its opponents , seven of the eight Ducati riders occupied the first nine places .
Not only did its riders show impressive rhythm across days two and three of the test ; they were able to show off blistering speed across a single flying lap , which bodes well for the crucial qualifying sessions this year . “ From the first exit with the new bike , I felt great ,” said Bagnaia . The others were struggling to keep up . Aprilia made an impressive effort . Aleix Espargaro was confident enough to assert , “ The ’ 23 bike is definitely better than the ’ 22 ,” said after posting the 6th fastest time at Sepang . Team-mate Maverick Viñales was 3rd fastest .
There is no question Yamaha ’ s 2022 was undermined by a chronic lack of horsepower . And looking at preseason in a positive light , that no longer seems to be an issue with Fabio Quartararo third fastest through the Sepang speed traps on the second day of testing – with no slipstream ! It was difficult to gauge KTM ’ s progress initially . The substantial testing work that was completed at Sepang was reason to be positive for riders Brad Binder and Jack Miller , despite finishing outside the top ten . Preseason has been a bit of struggle for Honda , despite updates it brought to the Portuguese test . Yes , it boasts a new engine , which had a higher top speed than what it used in ’ 22 . But the RC213V ’ s major deficits remain , with Marc Marquez complaining he still feels far from comfortable when braking to enter the corner . And they remain miles off Ducati on corner exit . “ More than the front I ’ m looking for the connection with the gas on the exit of the corner ,” Marquez said .
“ From the first exit with the new bike , I felt great .”
FRANCESCO BAGNAIA
18 | MotoGP™