The MotoGP Shakedown at Sepang kicked off on Friday, featuring a fascinating mix of seasoned veterans and promising rookies.
With MotoGP legends Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso back on track, it was Red Bull KTM’s Pol Espargaro who claimed the top spot, narrowly beating rising star Ai Ogura from the Trackhouse MotoGP Team.
Espargaro clocked the fastest lap of the day, setting the pace for the Shakedown with a blistering time. Ogura stunned many with his impressive 1:59.862 lap, just a fraction behind Espargaro, securing second place. Honda HRC development rider Takaaki Nakagami rounded out the top three, while Pedrosa, who led much of the session, finished fourth for Red Bull KTM.
Japanese newcomer Ogura stood out as the fastest rookie, showcasing exceptional form despite facing stiff competition from fellow debutant Fermin Aldeguer of Gresini Racing MotoGP. Aldeguer, getting familiar with the Ducati GP24, finished just behind Pedrosa.
Meanwhile, Thai rider Somkiat Chantra opted not to ride his new MotoGP machine for IDEMITSU LCR Honda on Friday, using the session as a preparation day ahead of his expected debut on Saturday.
The Shakedown saw Andrea Dovizioso return to the grid for Yamaha, testing three different machines. Ducati’s veteran test rider Michele Pirro and Aprilia’s Lorenzo Savadori also took to the track, with Savadori putting every available Aprilia through its paces.
Saturday promises more action with the expected arrival of Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP stars Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins, along with Prima Pramac Yamaha’s Miguel Oliveira and Jack Miller. The riders showcased their 2025 team colors in Kuala Lumpur on Friday and are set to hit the track next.
Additionally, Honda HRC race riders Joan Mir and Luca Marini are preparing to unveil their 2025 machines during a team presentation in Jakarta before joining the Shakedown action.
| 2025 Sepang MotoGP Shakedown Test – 6pm (Day 1) | ||||
| Rider | Nat | Team | Time | |
| 1 | Pol Espargaro | SPA | KTM Test Rider (RC16) | 1:59.691 |
| 2 | Ai Ogura | JPN | Trackhouse Aprilia (RS-GP25)* | 1:59.862 |
| 3 | Takaaki Nakagami | JPN | Honda Test Rider (RC213V) | 1:59.888 |
| 4 | Dani Pedrosa | SPA | KTM Test Rider (RC16) | 1:59.926 |
| 5 | Fermin Aldeguer | SPA | Gresini Ducati (GP24)* | 2:00.053 |
| 6 | “Test Rider” | N/A | Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) | 2:00.881 |
| 7 | “Test Rider” | N/A | Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) | 2:01.207 |
| 8 | Michele Pirro | ITA | Ducati Test Rider (GP25) | 2:01.383 |
| 9 | “Test Rider” | N/A | Yamaha Factory Racing (YZR-M1) | 2:02.330 |
| 10 | Lorenzo Savadori | ITA | Aprilia Test Rider (RS-GP25) | 2:03.782 |
Credit Photo : MotoGP
