Lorenzo tops Sepang MotoGP testing

Lorenzo tops Sepang MotoGP testing

KUALA LUMPUR - Reigning world champion Jorge Lorenzo Wednesday topped a rain-affected final day of the official MotoGP test at Sepang circuit in Malaysia ahead of his teammate Valentino Rossi and rival Marc Marquez.

Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo takes part in MotoGP testing at Malaysia's Sepang International Circuit on Feb 3, 2016.

Spaniard Lorenzo, on a Yamaha, logged 1min 59.580sec -- 0.976 sec ahead of Rossi, who significantly improved his lap time and pace during the three-day testing.

Two-time MotoGP world champion Marquez, who has been struggling with his Honda over the past two days, was third -- 1.303sec behind fellow Spaniard Lorenzo.

A rain shower momentarily stopped testing in the afternoon.

British rider Cal Crutchlow on a Honda was fourth, with a time of 2mins 00.992sec while retired Australian double world champion Casey Stoner, back on track testing for Ducati, was fifth fastest, 1.490sec behind the pacesetter.

Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, who had complained about problems with his Honda, managed to secure sixth with a time of 2min 01.161sec while Italian Danilo Petrucci on a Ducati was seventh, 1.637sec down on Lorenzo.

On Monday Lorenzo was fastest, clocking 2min 0.684sec, just over one second faster than Rossi, who has made clear his intentions to win his 10th world championship title.

Petrucci topped the timesheets on day two while Frenchman Loris Baz's dramatic accident Tuesday saw manufacturer Michelin withdrawing its soft tyre for the duration of the Sepang test.

Baz escaped serious injury when his rear tyre exploded and he was thrown off his Ducati bike in a spectacular high-speed crash.

The Frenchman was travelling at around 290 kilometres per hour (180 miles per hour) along the Sepang circuit's main straightaway at the time.

From Malaysia, MotoGP riders will head to Australia for three days at Phillip Island from February 17 to 19.

The premier class will then head to Qatar for their final official test.

The MotoGP world championship begins in Losail, Qatar, on March 17.

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