Jorge Lorenzo Fastest In First Sepang Test

MotoGP's first test of the season got underway in Sepang, Malaysia,
and the results were encouraging for Yamaha, which dominated the
top of the standings.
Jorge Lorenzo was the fastest overall, just edging out fellow
Spaniard Dani Pedrosa in second place, who was riding for Honda.
Yamaha's other riders, Cal Crutchlow and Ben Spies, were third and
fourth fastest, respectively.
It was an encouraging test for Valentino Rossi, who is coming off
of a down year. Rossi was in fifth aboard the new Ducati GP12, a
bike that has been the subject of criticism the past few months as
the Italian manufacturer's engineers worked down to the wire to get
it ready in time.
Pedrosa told Agence France-Presse that he didn't think the early
tests meant all that much, as most riders were still adjusting to
their bike.
"I am focused on myself. I was most of the time alone on the track
and was not mixing with the other MotoGP riders," he said. "I hope
to do better tomorrow. Tomorrow we will start [to find] the proper
setting of the bike,"
One notable absence during the test was defending champion Casey
Stoner, who left with a mild back injury. Stoner, who was 14th at
the time of his departure, plans to be back on the track
tomorrow.
There was a solemn moment before the test began as the assembled
riders honored Marco Simoncelli. Honda officials laid a wreath
where the rider was killed during a race last year.