Ducati’s Francesco Bagnaia set the pace on Day 1 of Qatar MotoGP test, ahead of Pramac Racing’s Jorge Martin and Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro at Lusail International Circuit on Monday.
On his 36th of 51 laps, Bagnaia set the benchmark time of the day at 1m52.040s.
Other riders came close until the end, with Martin finishing second 0.220s behind.
Espargaro and Brad Binder of Red Bull KTM were third and fourth, respectively, with laps completed in the final minutes. Fabio Di Giannantonio of Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team/Ducati completed the top five 0.427s behind Bagnaia, with Maverick Vinales of Aprilia in sixth. Johann Zarco of LCR Honda led the best RC213V in ninth, while Fabio Quartararo was tenth and the best from Monster Energy Yamaha. Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team/Ducati’s Marco Bezzecchi, with 62 laps, accumulated the most kilometres, finishing 11th. Further down, Gresini Racing/Ducati’s Marc Marquez, who was even in the top five at some point, finished 16th.
Ducati’s Italian rider Francesco Bagnaia steers his bike on the first day of the MotoGP pre-season testing at Lusail International Circuit in Doha on Monday. (AFP)