Sepang Test

We've put together a list below showing the combined top 50 lap times from the final day of the opening 2016 MotoGP test at Sepang.

Only the final day was used as, following the withdraw of the softer rear tyre after Loris Baz's accident, all riders were using only the harder option, reducing the number of variables.

However, there were differences in the front tyres, due to some development Michelin rubber not being available to most of the satellite riders. World champion Jorge Lorenzo estimated that the new front was worth 0.4-0.5s.

Lorenzo set the top eight lap times of the day and, with team-mate Valentino Rossi, the pair dominate the top 14 fastest laps. In total, the Movistar Yamaha riders set 23 of the top 50, divided 14 for Lorenzo and 9 for Rossi.

Honda has 13 laps in the top 50 courtesy of Marc Marquez (7), Cal Crutchlow (3) and Dani Pedrosa (3).

Although only featuring 11 times, Ducati notably has the most different riders in the top 50, led by Casey Stoner (3) and Hector Barbera (3), then Andrea Iannone (2), Scott Redding (2) and Danilo Petrucci (1).

Suzuki's top 50 presence was courtesy of Maverick Vinales (3 laps).

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Jumkie said:

He still might do that bro. I was telling 22 this morning who asked if i thought Casey might attend Austin as a "guest". Austin is a few months away, he expressed interest in the new track, he announces a wildcard there to "help improve the bike" I'm jumping on a plane. Though I think you have more faith he will wildcard than me. You never know.


Moto Voodoo, yes, I think you did miss something.

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Jumkie said:

He still might do that bro. I was telling 22 this morning who asked if i thought Casey might attend Austin as a "guest". Austin is a few months away, he expressed interest in the new track, he announces a wildcard there to "help improve the bike" I'm jumping on a plane. Though I think you have more faith he will wildcard than me. You never know.


Moto Voodoo, yes, I think you did miss something.

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JohnnyKnockdown said:

If that happens I'll be there too. You can find me on the grassy knoll

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povol said:

Do I wish Stoner would come back, sure I do, but in no way do I have any ill feeling towards him if he doesn't. Athletes of dangerous sports are wising up slowly but surely. If you can set your family up to live like kings and get out with your health, why not. I certainly don't think any of them owe me their time or talents.

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Jumkie said:

I hear you bro. Its definitely frustrating for us fans of the sport but i think your anger is misdirected. I see it quite different. First of all, we should never lose sight of why he retired! That is the crux. Because of that I infinitely have more respect for him. On top of that, him coming back to test and show his talent drives home the point of his retirement. I love it.

I just texted this to my two homies (Mdub& JK) yesterday who had a similar take:

"You guys should be praising Stoner who is making a mockery of GP. 'Look at me, I'm better than the 9x hero champion.' The series has a retired test rider turned enginqueer faster than all the riders. That's embarrassing."

If there is one thing that defines my view of the sport it's that it is a farce. (And before I get another tired useless turd asking me why do I watch it then, my response is 'eat a ....' if you can't figure it out no use explaining.) This is my operating premise and Casey Stoner is the only person with the balls that has ever taken a stand on it. And what a stand it is, the best rider saying .... this ........ because it's ........! His return to testing contrasting the events from the last three months is sublime from my perspective. I'm laughing my ... off every time I see a headline or report about Casey because I see it as a big .... you to all those, especially the organizers, media, and particularly fans that gave him grief. The dude is happier now, he won, the rest of us are still stuck with 3/4 of a million insane petitioners, chickenshit media (save Krops and Trunkman) complicit enabling the puppet master organizers in 'doctoring' the sport. Rossi has had the organizers wrapped around his figure for years. Anybody would still be racing with such support too. Les we forget Rossi threatened to quit the sport multiple times, then he got his way. The fact he could (given his recent test) blow everyone out of the water in the championship is nothing less that pure joy for me. As if Rossi's epic meltdown wasn't enough vindication about the truth the sport is highjacked, this is just icing on my cake.

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Cool Blue said:

Nice timing too dontcha think?
Any publicity is good publicity right? I guess Vale's crew were well pleased with hijacking the media attention with his antics last year and looking forward to milking the sympathy vote for the foreseeable future, having "lost with a perfect excuse". And then Casey strolls casually onto the high moral ground, happy, charming, reasonable and inhumanly competent, given his lengthy hiatus, and steals the lime light. The contrast is priceless.

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#22 said:

Well done Jums, now I feel like a ......

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J4rn0 said:

Stoner will race again, and all the rest is folly and blah blah.

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michaelm said:

I really hope you are correct, and am pleased if your Ducati sources are indicating this.

He isn't even denying the possibility of wildcard, and as has been said even saying he will definitely wildcard would be disruptive to the team. As I think you said when it was first mooted he was returning to Ducati as a test rider, he even more so couldn't say he was going to make a full comeback for Ducati in 2017 even if that was his and Ducati's intention, which is entirely different from it being a given he will do so of course.

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Gaz said:

Comments from riders - but the part for MV is highlighted below in italics

Lorenzo--bla bla Stoner amazing
Rossi--bla bla Stoner amazing
Cuntslow-blah Stoner amazing
Gigi-bla bla Stoner amazing

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Jumkie said:

Wait, no comments from Marquez? Can't develop?



[seen in the garage, Alzamora and Santi telling Marc not to comment on Casey. Exit stage left]

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JPSLotus said:

The symbolism of the White Knight coming back to slay the dragons is there.

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