Sepang test: Honda has engine troubles

MotoGP testing has started at Sepang this week, with mixed results for the participants.

The day’s fastest riders were Yamaha’s Ben Spies, followed by teammate Jorge Lorenzo. Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow posted fourth and fifth best times, also for Yamaha, when they managed to fit their laps in around the day’s mixed weather.

Ducati riders Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi both seem to remain happy with their revised GP12, especially the electronics systems, which they tested yesterday. Testing was cut short, though, by rain, and Bologna’s boys didn’t push their luck. They’ll finish their work today, the third and final day of testing.

Honda’s riders were likely happy for the rain, as their day ground to a halt after Dani Pedrosa’s motor failed. Honda flew the motor back to Japan for their engineers to examine, but their racers and satellite racers were off the track while they waited for results. With the rain delays, though, they didn’t miss out on much action.