Raul Fernandes, who was injured throughout Sepang MotoGP testing the previous two seasons, is relieved to have accomplished the 2026 occasion exhausted however unscathed.
The Trackhouse Aprilia rider, one other shock winner in 2025, ended the three days in Malaysia in tenth place on the timesheets, 0.843 seconds behind chief Alex Marquez (Gresini Ducati).
“For 2 years I could not end the primary day, however now I can end the take a look at after three days feeling defeated and it feels good,” Raul Fernandez smiled.
“This was a vital take a look at due to the aerodynamic package deal. We do not have time to homologate one other aerodynamic package deal so now we have to persuade ourselves what we would like earlier than Thailand.”
“So I am actually joyful about this, as a result of I made a decision on one thing that I like.”
Raul Fernandes, 2026 Sepang MotoGP Check (Gold & Goose).
Nonetheless, RS-GP has different areas to work on.
“There are nonetheless some issues I am not very comfy driving the bike with, so meaning there’s nonetheless a number of work to do,” he admitted.
“The worst half is the time assault, particularly whenever you need to make sooner laps with the gentle tires. You possibly can’t try this. In the meanwhile when the grip is at its most, you possibly can’t benefit from your driving type.”
“So that is the job now we have to do now in Thailand: attempt to perceive how we are able to unlock extra potential with gentle tyres.”
Luckily, Fernandes and Trackhouse do not should look too far for concepts as manufacturing unit star Marco Bezzecchi topped the ultimate afternoon MotoGP timesheet and completed second total behind Alex Marquez.
“I believe Aprilia did a extremely good job and the bike is aggressive once more. As you possibly can see from Marko within the time assault, he was very quick,” stated Fernandes.
“We have to know what they did throughout testing to enhance the time assault, as a result of I believe should you enhance the time assault the race tempo will at all times be there.”
Fernandes’ teammate Ai Ogura recorded the twelfth quickest time.
