MOTORSPORT NEWS - Jorge Lorenzo topped the timesheets on the final day of MotoGP testing in Malaysia on Tuesday, emerging as the fastest-ever MotoGP rider at the Sepang circuit on a crash-filled day.
Despite a crash on turn 15, Spaniard Lorenzo – a three-time MotoGP winner – set a stunning 1min 58.830sec just before noon on a dry track riding a Ducati.
That annihilates the unofficial all-time lap record of 1min 58.867sec set by Honda's Marc Marquez during the 2015 pre-season testing.
The fastest official lap, during a race weekend, is the 1min 59.053sec set by Marquez's teammate Dani Pedrosa in 2015.
Lorenzo, who begins his second season with the Italian team, has said the new Ducati bike was more suited to his riding style.
Ducati team manager Davide Tardozzi said the 2018 championship will be competitive season.
"We are happy with the Ducati machine. We try to make the engine smoother and less aggressive. This what the riders requested all of last year," he said.
