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Marquez ticks all the boxes with final day of testing in Sepang

Reigning MotoGP champion very happy with blistering hot race simulation

Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team

Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team

Repsol Media

Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team
LCR Honda unveils 2015 MotoGP bike
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing
Marc Marquez, Repsol Honda Team
Jorge Lorenzo, Yamaha Factory Racing

Marc Marquez ended his second three-day test at the Sepang International Circuit in the best way possible with the top lap time and a blistering race simulation that saw the reigning MotoGP World Champion lapping outside the two-minute mark only three times.

The Repsol Honda rider completed his full testing schedule where he worked mainly on chassis comparison, engine mapping and braking.

We have accomplished all the objectives we had set for this test.

Marc Marquez

Despite his first day being a write-off due to a problem with his braking, Marquez bounced back on the second two days topping both sessions and put in a grueling 73 laps today in order to finish his testing schedule.

Jorge Lorenzo will also be very happy with his performance over the past three days with the Movistar Yamaha rider ending the test second overall and setting his best ever time at the Malaysian track while Crutchlow surprised many in taking the third fastest time today with the British rider still getting accustomed to the CWM LCR Honda.

Speaking afterwards Marquez was very happy with his progress and is looking forward to the final test in Qatar before the racing gets underway on 29th March at the same circuit.

“I'm happy because this morning we set a good lap, which is something important,” Marquez said, “Mostly I am pleased that we have completed all the work we had left pending from the first day. We're finished today with our homework done and I even had time to do a race simulation this afternoon, with a track temperature of 49°C.

“We have accomplished all the objectives we had set for this test, and now at the Qatar test our work will be more focused on the Grand Prix and fine-tuning the setup of the bike. I do not think there are many more new things to try,” he added.

Lorenzo upbeat following sucessful second test of 2015

Lorenzo was very upbeat after finishing the test second overall saying, “Well today I got the best lap time in Sepang ever for me, two tenths faster than the first test. The track was in worse condition than before so the bike has improved quite a bit. Also we made a lot of laps in the 2’00 time.

“At 3:30pm we tried a race simulation in the highest temperature I’ve ever ridden here in Sepang; it was really difficult to keep a good lap time and pace, the bike felt not so good with so much temperature. I decided to stop as I wasn't feeling confident in braking. Everyone did a simulation at this time of day so I think they all had problems also.

“In general I think it's been a very positive test and our engineers have collected enough information and data to make further improvements for the next test in Qatar and especially for the first race of the season, at the end of March. I look forward to getting on board my M1 in two weeks while in the meantime I will keep on working and training hard, as usual, for the best possible start of the season,” Lorenzo added.

Crutchlow continues to improve on new Honda machinery

Crutchlow has been working hard on his factory RC213V and at the first test he was still getting used to adapting his riding style to suit the bike and is happy with his progress over the past three days.

He said: “For a track that I dislike, that’s my fastest ever lap around here by nearly eight-tenths of a second. I felt good and comfortable on the bike, and it’s not a bad lap considering the conditions of the circuit today. I’m happy enough with how things are, but I still need to improve my riding style.

“The corner speed isn’t too bad, but although straight line braking is good, the other riders can take more risks than me in the moments just after. That’s a confidence thing though, and as the exit from the corners isn’t too bad I still think there is more to come.

“In my earlier race simulation we didn’t have any braking power with the bike - exactly the same problem as Marc Marquez had earlier this week. As I have said we have been struggling with corner entry as it was, but I was still really riding well in my long run, it felt quite good but I was losing a second maybe on some laps just from being unable to stop with the brakes,” Crutchlow added.

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