Preparations for the 2022 MotoGP season kicked back into full swing on Saturday in Malaysia, as the paddock makes its first visit to the Sepang circuit since the COVID-19 pandemic began back in 2020.
Though three days of shakedown running for test riders, rookies and concession ream riders took place earlier this week, Saturday’s eight-hour session marked the first official MotoGP running of 2022.
It is the first of just five days of official pre-season running this February, with three of those taking place at the new Mandalika track in Indonesia next weekend.
As soon as the green light illuminated at the end of pitlane on Saturday morning, the track was abuzz with activity.
At the end of the first hour, Aprilia’s Aleix Espargaro led the times with a 1m58.371s he set on his ninth tour of the Sepang circuit – though the Spaniard had already taken part in Wednesday’s shakedown running.
Espargaro was at the centre of controversy earlier this week when he was found to have…
Click Here to Read the Full Original Article at Motorsport.com – All – Stories…