The 2024 MotoGP preseason raised the curtain in Sepang with the first tests in which the Spanish riders took center stage. Jorge Martín (Prima Pramac Racing) led the first day ahead of the debutant and great revelation Pedro Acosta, just 269 thousandths behind.
The great expectation of these first tests is Marc Márquez, who debuted with the Gresini team’s Desmosedici with the ninth fastest time. The Catalan, who had been 4th in his debut with the Ducati in the Cheste tests in November, was six tenths behind Jorge Martín.
The 2023 world runner-up showed the same strength with which he finished the course. Martinator was at the top of the time table after just over two hours of filming and remained there until the end of the day.
The rider who came closest to him was Pedro Acosta with the Gas Gas (from the KTM factory). The premier class rookie equaled his best lap from Saturday’s Shakedown to place second overall.
Just 8 thousandths behind the young man from Murcia was Fabio Quartararo (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP), who finished two tenths off his best lap at the 2023 Malaysian Grand Prix.
The first day of testing was not very bright for the two main candidates for 2024, the current champion, Francesco Bagnaia (Ducati Team), and the multiple champion Marc Márquez, who was making his debut with Gresini’s Ducati. The Italian could only set the 16th time of the day, 862 thousandths behind Martín, after crashing at turn 11 on his first lap of the day.
Marc Márquez suffered two technical problems on his Desmosedici and could only finish ninth, 670 thousandths behind Martín, and two tenths behind his brother and teammate Àlex Márquez (7th at 591 thousandths).
