Capirossi tops first day of Sepang test
Loris Capirossi was a surprise pace-setter for Suzuki as testing got underway for the 2009 MotoGP season at Sepang
The veteran Italian lapped in 2:01.869 on the updated 2009 Suzuki to beat Casey Stoner by 0.169 seconds.
Ducati rider Stoner was quickly up to speed in his first appearance since his winter wrist injury, while Valentino Rossi also showed few ill-effects from his domestic incident as he went third-fastest for Yamaha.
The reigning champion was reportedly having some difficulty walking due to the lacerations he received when he fell through a glass table earlier this week, and also had a minor accident during the morning, but still lapped within half a second of Capirossi.
Chris Vermeulen was fourth on the second Suzuki, ahead of Gresini Honda returnee Toni Elias and new factory Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso.
Colin Edwards took seventh as he got to grips with Tech 3's upgraded Yamaha, but his teammate James Toseland crashed and was 14th.
Dani Pedrosa was eighth on the second Repsol Honda, Sete Gibernau ninth for Onde Ducati and Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo 10th.
Nicky Hayden was only 11th quickest on the second works Ducati, two seconds slower than teammate Stoner.
Pos Rider Bike Time Laps 1. Loris Capirossi Suzuki 2:01.869 37 2. Casey Stoner Ducati 2:02.038 + 0.169 34 3. Valentino Rossi Yamaha 2:02.324 + 0.455 31 4. Chris Vermeulen Suzuki 2:02.803 + 0.934 55 5. Toni Elias Honda 2:02.886 + 1.017 52 6. Andrea Dovizioso Honda 2:03.088 + 1.219 50 7. Colin Edwards Yamaha 2:03.254 + 1.385 34 8. Dani Pedrosa Honda 2:03.312 + 1.443 44 9. Sete Gibernau Ducati 2:03.750 + 1.881 54 10. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 2:03.894 + 2.025 61 11. Nicky Hayden Ducati 2:04.002 + 2.133 60 12. Alex De Angelis Honda 2:04.396 + 2.527 53 13. Mika Kallio Ducati 2:04.405 + 2.536 60 14. James Toseland Yamaha 2:04.502 + 2.633 34 15. Randy De Puniet Honda 2:04.882 + 3.013 61 16. Norihiko Fujiwara Yamaha 2:05.024 + 3.155 47 17. Yuki Takahashi Honda 2:05.098 + 3.229 73 18. Wataru Yoshikawa Yamaha 2:05.140 + 3.271 44 19. Niccolo Canepa Ducati 2:05.270 + 3.401 45
Share Or Save This Story
Hamilton accepts blame for incident with Albon in F1 Brazilian GP
Ferrari drivers called to F1 stewards over Brazilian GP collision
Will Alonso's Indy failure end the age of versatility?
Rossi faces key decision: Who will replace di Giannantonio at VR46?
Why Rossi is putting pressure on Ducati over its 2027 MotoGP rider line-up
Why Rossi's serious approach to car racing in 2024 may create a dilemma
MotoGP points leader Bezzecchi banned from Czech GP for hitting marshal in sprint
DTM Lausitzring 1: Mapelli takes fortunate maiden win for Lamborghini Temerario GT3
The flaw Cadillac must fix to reach F1's midfield
MotoGP Czech GP: Bagnaia wins sprint as Bezzecchi crashes out
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments