Tech update - what new parts did MotoGP bikes use in Sepang?
Ducati
The best machinery on the MotoGP g✨rid in 2022 did not look too dramatically different, as would be expected.
The key visual update was the aero, with a choice of downwash ducts or new ground-effect style side fairings. There were also updated wings - narrower than ওlast year’s bike.
Meanwhile, riders worked to improve the power delivery of the new, and even more powerful, Des🍌mosediciꦯ engine.
The rider’s verdict
Francesco Bagnaia said: "In the last hour of the test we did a big change on the ꦬelectronics and did an ♊enormous step in front.
"It’s quite clear on the lap time because🗹 with used tyres; after the change I did 1m 59.1/59.0s with used tyres and everything wꦗas solved
"The only thing that is mܫissing is the handling because the handling of the 2022 bike was a bit easier.
"This one is more aggressive and more nervous.”
Aprilia
The 2023 RS-GP will receive a new engine specification in Portimao but, in Sepang, ther🎀e were already new aspects to focus on.
A new chassis, swingarm, tail unit and𝄹 exhausts were✤ on display.
One of the pioneers of the ground-effect fairingཧ, Aprilia has further refined its design for 2023 while smaller wi💜ngs likely make the bike less physical to ride.
The upcoming engine in Portimao wil✃l be Aprilia’s biggest decision of preseason🔯, though.
The rider’s verdict
Aleix Espargaro: “The 2023 bike is better tha🉐n the 2022. But we still have to be patient and see if it’s enough.
"With the new bike one thing is that the cooling is much better. It was a nightmare last year. Indonesia, Thailand, here - it was really difficult𝔍 to ride the bike but now thꦑey did a really good job on this.
"The bike is a l⛄ittle bit faster on the straight and the bike is more ℱnarrow which allows it to be more aggressive on the change of directions.
"The new aero is a little bit bet🤡ter for the top speed but at the same time, with the cornering the bike turns the same or a little bit better.”
Honda
Where to begin? The variou♎s different bikes seen in Sepang featured two chassis, two aero packages, a 🎃new air intake, downwash ducts, a new seat and tail unit and ground-effect fairing.
Marc Marquez used four bikes in Sepang, one of which was the&n🍷bsp;2022 machine, while new team-mate Joan Mir used two.
They each used just one bike on the final day, featu𝄹ring the chassis that they each selected.
Marqu⛦ez also completed a few laps without any wings on the bike.
The rider’s verdict
Joan Mir: "For sure we are still a bit far, but ever🍎y day we are closer. So this is very important that💮 every day we feel better with the bike, that I’m riding more like a Honda style, I’m riding in a completely different way now and this is a way that I enjoy.
"These days I learned a lot, the team h🐎elped me a lot to help me understand how to be competitive with this bike, and we are following the good 𝓀steps, but I’m still a rookie with this bike."
KTM/GASGAS
Three aero packages were used - last season’s version, a𒁏n update from the pos♎tseason Valencia test, and a newer one.
T🍷heir riders unusually ran ground-effect fairing and downwash ducts simultaneously.
KTM also tested a new engine, and ඣtwo chassis - one enabled better braking, the other enabled better turning.
The rider’s verdict
Brad Binder said: "We got through a lot of different of things, a lot of different p💮arts and o🐓n the last day we had something new every time we left the pitlane.
"I𒀰 think we narrowed down our options quite a bit and we are getting closer to our package that we’ll start the season with.
"My go🤡al in Portimao is to continue that process and I ꦿwant to start the first Grand Prix with the best possible combination from all the new material we’ve tried so far."
Yamaha
A prom🍎ising weekend in Sepang sug✱gests that Yamaha have made their desired steps forward with a new engine giving more horsepower.
They used two different aero updates. One, which means greater doꩵwnforc𝔉e, becomes an option if the bike now has greater horsepower.
Yamaha did, however, have big probl🍃ems with their speed on new tyres.
The rider’s verdict
Fabio Quartararo: “Mixed feelings I would say. I'm pretty happy of course about the top speed, which is somet𒅌hing that I've asked for a long time.
“With old tyres I'm feeling super happy. Then w🦄e 𒐪put on a new tyre, and it's a nightmare.”
James was a sports journali🐈st at Sky Sports for a decade covering everything from American sports, to football, to F1.
