Fastest Espargaro Duo In Mandalika MotoGP Pre-season Test Day One
JAKARTA – Repsol Honda racer Pol Espargaro was the fastest on the first day of the pre-season test session at the Mandalika Circuit. He beat his brother Aleix Espargaro who rode the Aprilia team motorbike.
Espargaro closed the first day of testing on Friday, February 11 with a time of 1 minute 32.466 seconds. The 30-year-old racer was 0.471 seconds ahead of his brother who was trailing in second place.
The third place is occupied by Red Bull KTM driver Brad Binder. Meanwhile, Suzuki's Alex Rins in fourth place and last season's world champion Fabio Quartararo complete the top five.
Meanwhile, Jack Miller became the fastest Ducati rider to fill the sixth position. He was followed in succession by Maverick Vinales, Joan Mir, Andrea Dovizioso, and Pramac Ducati rider Jorge Martin.
Dirty track conditions had disrupted the pre-season test in the morning session. The red flag is raised after the session has been running for about an hour and a half.
The track was then re-opened at 12.00 WITA after officers cleaned the dirt from the ground brought by rainwater at bend one. The condition of the dirt track was caused by less than optimal cleaning.
The pre-season test at Mandalika will last until Sunday, February 13. After that, the first series of races this season will be held at the Losail International Circuit, Qatar, on March 6.
Mandalika will be the second series in the season which will be held on March 18-20. The organizers are currently trying to complete the supporting facilities and infrastructure.
Mandalika MotoGP Test Results Day One
- 1. Pol ESPARGARO 1 minute 32.466 seconds
- 2. Aleix ESPARGARO +0.471 seconds
- 3. Brad BINDER +0.477 sec
- 4. Alex RINS +0.592sec
- 5. Fabio QUARTARARO +0.642sec
- 6. Jack MILLER +0.648 sec
- 7. Maverick VINALES +0.681 sec
- 8. Joan MIR +0.778 sec
- 9. Andrea DOVIZIOSO +0.779 seconds
- 10. Jorge MARTIN +0.892 seconds