Marc Marquez Dominates Opening Day of Buriram MotoGP Test
Factory Ducati rider Marc Marquez set the quickest time on the opening day of the Buriram MotoGP test, leading his brother, Alex Marquez, who had been the pacesetter throughout much of the session. With just a few minutes left on Wednesday, Marc Marquez clocked a best lap of 1m29.184s, shaving nearly half a second off the morning benchmark set by Gresini’s Alex Marquez. Despite this impressive performance, Marquez’s time was still slightly off the lap record, a 1m28.700s set by Francesco Bagnaia during his pole position run in the 2022 Thailand Grand Prix. Marc Marquez had been sitting in second place, just 0.126s behind his brother, but his late surge pushed him to the top of the timesheet, demonstrating his ability to adapt and excel under pressure.
Franco Morbidelli and Aprilia Shine in Buriram
Franco Morbidelli, representing the VR46 squad, made a late charge to secure third place, finishing just 0.034s behind Alex Marquez. This performance was particularly noteworthy given Morbidelli’s steady improvement throughout the session. Meanwhile, Aprilia Racing enjoyed one of its best days of pre-season testing, with newly signed factory rider Marco Bezzecchi clinching the fourth spot. Bezzecchi’s effort was even more remarkable considering he had a minor off-track excursion earlier in the day but managed to recover and finish ahead of KTM’s Pedro Acosta in fifth. The success of Aprilia on Wednesday suggests that the team is making significant strides in its development and could be a force to reckon with in the upcoming season.
Strong Showings by Honda Riders
Honda’s riders also put in a solid performance, with Luca Marini on the factory HRC bike finishing sixth and Johann Zarco just behind in seventh. Both riders managed to lap within the 1m29s bracket, showcasing the consistency and reliability of the Honda machinery. This is a positive sign for the brand, which has been working diligently to refine its bikes and improve rider performance. The presence of two Honda riders in the top seven highlights the team’s potential and sets the stage for a competitive run in the coming races.
Ducati and KTM Riders Follow Suit
Two-time MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia, riding the factory Ducati, placed eighth, just missing the 1m29s mark. His time was a mere 0.863s slower than the pacesetter, Alex Marquez, indicating that the Ducati team is still in a strong position. KTM’s Brad Binder also showed promising speed, finishing in ninth place, just 0.041s outside the 1m29s bracket. Both Bagnaia and Binder demonstrated that their respective teams are well-prepared and capable of strong performances, even if they were slightly off the pace on this particular day.
Yamaha Takes a Low-Key Start
While Yamaha had been the focus of attention during the Sepang test the previous week, the Iwata-based brand took a more low-key approach in Buriram. The highest-placed Yamaha rider was Jack Miller from Pramac, who secured the 10th spot, more than 0.863s behind the leading Alex Marquez. The factory Yamaha riders, Alex Rins and Fabio Quartararo, were further back, finishing 12th and 13th respectively, with Quartararo about two tenths slower than Rins. This suggests that Yamaha still has some work to do to fine-tune their bikes and strategies before the season kicks off in earnest.
Rookies Make Their Presence Felt
Among the rookies, Gresini’s Fermin Aldeguer was the standout performer, recovering from a crash at Turn 8 to set the 14th fastest time. This resilience and determination bode well for the young rider as he continues to acclimate to the competitive environment of MotoGP. Trackhouse’s newcomer Ai Ogura also showed promise, despite a fall at Turn 3, by finishing in 15th place. Both riders are likely to benefit from the experience gained during this test, which can help them navigate the challenges of the upcoming season. With a total of 20 full-time race riders participating on Wednesday, the absence of injured riders Jorge Martin and Fabio di Giannantonio was notable, with Aprilia’s test rider Lorenzo Savadori stepping in for Martin, bringing the total number of participants to 21. The presence of these rookies adds an exciting element to the pre-season testing, as they bring new energy and potential to the grid.
The opening day of the Buriram test provided valuable insights into the form and readiness of various teams and riders, setting the stage for an intense and competitive season to come.
