Alex Marquez Leads the Charge as MotoGP Pre-Season Testing Wraps Up in Malaysia

Alex Marquez put on a remarkable performance at the MotoGP pre-season testing in Malaysia, emerging as the fastest rider of the session. With a blistering lap time of 1 minute 56.493 seconds, Marquez topped the timesheets at the Sepang Circuit, showcasing his consistency across the three-day test. He ended the final day in first place, following up on his strong performances from Wednesday and Thursday when he secured third-fastest times.

France’s Fabio Quartararo also had an impressive outing, securing third place with a time of 1 minute 56.724 seconds. Italy’s Franco Morbidelli rounded out the top four, with a time of 1 minute 56.948 seconds, making it four riders who managed to dip under the 1 minute 57 second mark.

Marquez, riding his Ducati machine, looked particularly sharp, just 0.156 seconds behind Bagnaia’s official lap record from the previous year at the Sepang track. Marquez expressed his confidence after the test, stating, "I love this track and I have always been fast here. Now we need to keep calm and go to Thailand and see how we are over there. Overall, we did a great job. The bike was responding when you are demanding and asking for more.”

While Marquez was dominant, the final days of the test were far calmer than the chaotic opening day, which saw reigning MotoGP world champion Jorge Martin suffer a serious crash. Martin was thrown off his Aprilia bike at turn two and sustained injuries to his right hand and left foot, requiring surgery. Martin’s injury leaves him racing against time to recover in time for the season-opening Thailand Grand Prix, scheduled for March 2.

With the pre-season testing now concluded, all eyes are on the riders as they prepare for the highly anticipated first race of the 2024 MotoGP season in Thailand, where Marquez and his competitors will be looking to carry their momentum into the championship.