MotoGP: Viñales ends Sepang test on top

Maverick Viñales has finished the first test of the 2017 MotoGP season on the top of the timesheets, controlling the final day of action at the Sepang circuit to finish ahead of a surprise result from Andrea Iannone on the Suzuki and with Marc Marquez third despite Honda’s ongoing woes.

The Spaniard was able to set his time early on the final day and maintain his leadership by 0.084 over Iannone’s time from yesterday, with Marquez rallying late in the day to take the third place spot.

“Today again, like yesterday, we worked mainly on the race pace. We improved the pace a lot. I am quite surprised I could attain a 1’59 and I am really happy, because it was very fast and the bike was going well. We tried many things during this week, so I think we can have a better package for the next test in Australia. We will bring many good things to Phillip Island.

“At the moment it is difficult to say which aspect of the bike surprised me most. We are developing the bike, trying to better the package that we have, and I think for sure we have the best bike at the moment for one lap and on race distance. Step by step we are choosing the best things.”

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Andrea Dovizioso made it four manufacturers in the top four ahead of Dani Pedrosa and Valentino Rossi, while Alvaro Bautista finished an impressive test in seventh ahead of Casey Stoner, Can Crutchlow and a rapidly improving Jorge Lorenzo. 

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