Yamaha Factory riders Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies continued to show promising form today in the second day of the Sepang test, the first official 1000cc MotoGP test of 2012. Having spent yesterday getting back into the rhythm of riding, today was spent focusing on comparative testing in a number of areas.

The team worked to gather data to optimise the balance of the 2012 YZR-M1 chassis whilst also working to refine the power delivery of the increased engine capacity through electronics and power delivery. Spies led the field for the majority of the day with team mate Lorenzo just behind, the Texan eventually knocked from the top spot by just 0.157 seconds by Casey Stoner. Tomorrow’s final day of testing will see a further shakedown by the Yamaha riders before they return in one month’s time for the second test of the season.



Ben Spies - Position 2nd - Time 2.01.052- Laps 37

“We got going pretty well in the morning, then even when the track started to slow down the pace was still really good. We started to mess with the balance of the bike a little today and played with the electronics to find a good foundation with the bike. At Valencia we compared some stuff and got in the right direction. Now we’re here and taking the next step, trying some things to see how it affects the set up. There’s definitely some room for improvement and some areas we’re not struggling with at all.”

Jorge Lorenzo - Position 3rd - Time 2.01.068 - Laps 40

“Today I was much more tired than yesterday so it was tough to finish with a good pace but we managed it. We didn’t find any big improvements but some small details. Tomorrow we hope to make one big step. We improved our lap times a lot in the morning but in the afternoon when it was even hotter we managed to go faster which is very positive.”


Test Times

1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Repsol Honda Team 2'00.895
2. Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing 2'01.052
3. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Yamaha Factory Racing 2'01.068
4. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 2'01.508
5. Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Yamaha Tech3 2'01.565
6. Hector Barbera (SPA) Pramac Racing Team 2'01.788
7. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Ducati Team 2'01.886
8. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Honda Gresini 2'01.933
9. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Yamaha Tech3 2'02.160
10. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Team 2'02.354
11. Stefan Bradl (GER) LCR Honda 2'02.414
12. Karel Abraham (CZE) Cardion AB Motoracing 2'02.598
13. Katsuyuki Nakasuga (JPN) Yamaha Factory Racing 2'02.941
14. Franco Battaini (ITA) Ducati Team 2'04.311
15. Colin Edwards (USA) NGM Mobile Forward Racing 2'05.603
16. Ivan Silva (SPA) Avintia Racing 2'10.297
17. Jordi Torres (SPA) Avintia Racing 2'11.893
18. Robertino Pietri (VEN) Avintia Racing 2'12.546

Sepang Record Lap
C.Stoner (Ducati) 2007, 2'02.108

Sepang Best Lap
V.Rossi (Yamaha) 2009, 2'00.518

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