Casey Stoner ended the final day of MotoGP testing at Sepang on top of the timesheets with a fastest lap of 2m00.473s.

Stoner was closely followed by his team-mate Dani Pedrosa who clocked a 2m00.648s lap, with Andrea Dovizioso getting to grips with his Tech 3 Yamaha very nicely and placing it in third position with a lap of 2m00.802s.

Full times from the final day of MotoGP testing at Sepang:

1. Casey Stoner Honda 2m00.473s
2. Dani Pedrosa Honda 2m00.648s + 0.175s
3. Andrea Dovizioso Tech 3 Yamaha 2m00.802s + 0.329s
4. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 2m00.877s + 0.404s
5. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 2m00.986s + 0.513s
6. Hector Barbera Pramac Ducati 2m01.231s + 0.758s
7. Alvaro Bautista Gresini Honda 2m01.275s + 0.802s
8. Ben Spies Yamaha 2m01.432s + 0.959s
9. Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2m01.492s + 1.019s
10. Valentino Rossi Ducati 2m01.550s + 1.077s
11. Nicky Hayden Ducati 2m01.609s + 1.136s
12. Franco Battaini Cardion Ducati 2m03.490s + 3.017s
13. Colin Edwards Forward Suter-BMW 2m03.681s + 3.208s
14. Yonny Hernandez Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m06.632s + 6.159s
15. Ivan Silva Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m06.785s + 6.312s

Day 2 of the second 2012 official MotoGP test at Sepang is now over and Yamaha’s Ben Spies posted the fastest time of 2.01.285. His team-mate Jorge Lorenzo was second, with Andrea Dovizioso in third.

None of the Hondas were out on track due to reported technical issues with the electronics package. The issue was cited as a potential cause of Dani Pedrosa’s electronics failure on track yesterday, and Honda is expected to release a full statement on the issue later today.

Full MotoGP test times from day 2 at Sepang:

1. Ben Spies – Yamaha Factory Racing – 2.01.285 (35 laps)
2. Jorge Lorenzo – Yamaha Factory Racing – 2.01.293 +0.008 (26 laps)
3. Andrea Dovizioso – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – 2.01.522 +0.237 (18 laps)
4. Cal Crutchlow – Monster Yamaha Tech 3 – 2.01.695 +0.410 (22 laps)
5. Nicky Hayden – Ducati Team – 2.01.748 +0.463 (39 laps)
6. Hector Barbera – Pramac Racing Team – 2.01.989 +0.704 (26 laps)
7. Valentino Rossi – Ducati Team – 2.02.130 +0.845 (18 laps)
8. Franco Battaini – Cardion AB Motoracing – 2.03.566 +2.281 (20 laps)
9. Colin Edwards – NGM Mobile Forward Racing – 2.05.816 +4.531 (14 laps)
10. Ivan Silva – Avintia Racing – 2.07.532 +6.247 (39 laps)
11. Yonny Hernandez – Avintia Racing – 2.08.213 +6.928 (26 laps)

Ben Spies
“Today went well, the rain caught us out again but we got everything we needed to do done before lunch including some different chassis set ups and some electronics which we were pretty happy with. The rain started to come down so we waited until it subsided a little bit but with still a full wet track with standing water which we needed. We haven’t ridden the thousand in the rain and I’ve never ridden this track in the rain so it was good to get some laps in. I had quite a good feeling with the bike in the rain; straight away it felt pretty good so we rode in full wet conditions and stayed on wets when it dried out a little and was greasy. We’ve got a lot of stuff to do tomorrow so we’re hoping for a dry day!”

Jorge Lorenzo
“Today we improved a little the connection with the throttle and the engine, it’s much smoother and easier to ride, a big step forward from yesterday. We were able to try the 1000cc M1 on the wet for the first time and we went very fast so it’s been a positive day and we are very motivated to improve the bike more. We managed to complete everything we wanted to test so it’s been good!”

Dani Pedrosa finished in second place with a time of 2m 2.005s, with the factory Yamaha’s for Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies taking 3rd and 4th respectively.

Heavy rain put a halt to the session at the midway point, but some of the riders opted continue testing in he damp conditions as the track began to dry.

Alvaro Bautista was the highest placed non-factory rider on the Gresini Honda, and Colin Edwards was the fastest of the CRTs finishing 3.7 seconds off Stoner’s pace.

Full MotoGP test times from Sepang below:

1 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Team 2:01.761 - - 16
2 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 2:02.005 +0.244 +0.244 36
3 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing 2:02.436 +0.431 +0.675 22
4 Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing 2:02.819 +0.383 +1.058 31
5 Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:02.959 +0.140 +1.198 24
6 Nicky Hayden Ducati Team 2:03.132 +0.173 +1.371 55
7 Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:03.213 +0.081 +1.452 27
8 Valentino Rossi Ducati Team 2:03.245 +0.032 +1.484 39
9 Hector Barbera Pramac Racing Team 2:03.612 +0.367 +1.851 24
10 Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2:03.820 +0.208 +2.059 31
11 Andrea Dovizioso Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:03.830 +0.010 +2.069 23
12 Colin Edwards NGM Mobile Forward Racing 2:05.510 +1.680 +3.749 25
13 Franco Battaini Cardion AB Motoracing 2:05.563 +0.053 +3.802 11
14 Ivan Silva Avintia Racing 2:08.109 +2.546 +6.348 32
15 Yonny Hern?ndez Avintia Racing 2:08.767 +0.658 +7.006 16

Stoner broke in the sub 2 minute lap-time by posting a fastest lap of 1’59.607 on only his second lap of the day.

Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa completed the top 3, with Ben Spies in a close 4th place.

Colin Edwards was the leading CRT rider, but was still over 5 seconds off Casey Stoner’s pace. More CRT concerns were reflected in the times posted by Torres and Pietri, who were both over 10 seconds from the front.

Full times from Sepang below:

1. Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Team 1m59.607s 21
2. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing 2m00.198s + 0.591 35
3. Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 2m00.256s + 0.649 26
4. Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing 2m00.495s + 0.888 16
5. Valentino Rossi Ducati Team 2m00.824s + 1.217 42
6. Hector Barbera Pramac Racing Team 2m00.929s + 1.322 40
7. Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2m01.108s + 1.501 26
8. Andrea Dovizioso Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2m01.257s + 1.650 40
9. Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Honda Gresini 2m01.384s + 1.777 34
10. Nicky Hayden Ducati Team 2m01.729s + 2.122 19
11. Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2m01.894s + 2.287 38
12. Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing 2m02.218s + 2.611 38
13. Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha Factory 2m02.334s + 2.727 27
14. Franco Battaini Ducati Team 2m03.033s + 3.426 35
15. Colin Edwards NGM Mobile Forward Racing 2m04.722s + 5.115 36
16. Ivan Silva Avintia Racing 2m08.225s + 8.618 41
17. Robertino Pietri Avintia Racing 2m09.640s + 10.033 16
18. Jordi Torres Avintia Racing 2m10.184s + 10.577 29

Day two of the MotoGP testing at Sepang, and Casey Stoner has clearly recovered from his back injury that prevented him from fully testing yesterday – Ben Spies had been the early leader, but Stoner topped the timesheets with a with a 2m00.895s lap, and only needed 29 laps to do it in.

Full times from Day 2 of MotoGP testing at Sepang:
1. Casey Stoner Honda 2m00.895s 29
2. Ben Spies Yamaha 2m01.052s + 0.157s 37
3. Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha 2m01.068s + 0.173s 40
4. Dani Pedrosa Honda 2m01.508s + 0.613s 35
5. Cal Crutchlow Tech 3 Yamaha 2m01.565s + 0.670s 42
6. Hector Barbera Pramac Ducati 2m01.788s + 0.893s 50
7. Valentino Rossi Ducati 2m01.886s + 0.991s 44
8. Alvaro Bautista Gresini Honda 2m01.933s + 1.038s 46
9. Andrea Dovizioso Tech 3 Yamaha 2m02.160s + 1.265s 42
10. Nicky Hayden Ducati 2m02.354s + 1.459s 41
11. Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2m02.414s + 1.519s 41
12. Karel Abraham Cardion Ducati 2m02.598s + 1.703s 66
13. Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha 2m02.941s + 2.046s 40
14. Franco Battaini Ducati 2m04.311s + 3.416s 38
15. Colin Edwards Forward Suter-BMW 2m05.603s + 4.708s 37
16. Ivan Silva Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m10.297s + 9.402s 16
17. Jordi Torres Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m11.893s + 10.998s 2
18. Robertino Pietri Avintia FTR-Kawasaki 2m12.546s + 11.651s 5

The times from day one of the MotoGP 2012 Sepang test are in, with Jorge Lorenzo claiming the top spot with a lap of 2:01.657.

Lorenzo headed the timesheets all day, and was closely followed by Dani Pedrosa in second place. Crutchlow took third, with Spies in fourth.

Valentino Rossi finished the day in fifth position, 0.735s behind his former team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.

Reigning World Champion Casey Stoner opted to sit out most of the test after suffering with a back injury.

Colin Edwards was the fastest of the CRTs, but the gap was significant and he ended the session 6.6s off the pace set by Lorenzo.

Full times from day 1 of the MotoGP Sepag test below:

01 Jorge Lorenzo Yamaha Factory Racing 2:01.657 – - 30
02 Dani Pedrosa Repsol Honda Team 2:02.003 +0.346 +0.346 48
03 Cal Crutchlow Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:02.221 +0.218 +0.564 32
04 Ben Spies Yamaha Factory Racing 2:02.234 +0.013 +0.577 28
05 Valentino Rossi Ducati Team 2:02.392 +0.158 +0.735 43
06 Andrea Dovizioso Monster Yamaha Tech 3 2:02.751 +0.359 +1.094 20
07 Hector Barbera Pramac Racing Team 2:02.773 +0.022 +1.116 41
08 Katsuyuki Nakasuga Yamaha Factory 2:02.829 +0.056 +1.172 32
09 Alvaro Bautista San Carlo Honda Gresini 2:02.869 +0.040 +1.212 45
10 Nicky Hayden Ducati Team 2:03.151 +0.282 +1.494 33
11 Stefan Bradl LCR Honda 2:03.668 +0.517 +2.011 44
12 Karel Abraham Cardion AB Motoracing 2:03.781 +0.113 +2.124 45
13 Franco Battaini Ducati Team 2:04.986 +1.205 +3.329 35
14 Casey Stoner Repsol Honda Team 2:07.163 +2.177 +5.506 4
15 Colin Edwards NGM Mobile Forward Racing 2:08.240 +1.077 +6.583 21
16 Jordi Torres Avintia Racing 2:10.671 +2.431 +9.014 42
17 Ivan Silva Avintia Racing 2:11.267 +0.596 +9.610 12

Hector Barbera is in trouble – and that’s even before he’s got on a Pramac Ducati.

The Spanish rider was stopped by police at the weekend for erratic driving and was given a breathalyzer test. Barbera failed the test and was fined, he also had 3 points deducted from his license.

Hector Barbera swiftly issued the following press release:

“On Friday night I celebrated one last family Christmas dinner, also attended by several friends, with whom we later left by car for Valencia. I was traveling as a passenger in a Vauxhall Astra with a friend, who was stopped for a breathalyzer test and he exceeded the limit allowed by law. It was he, not I, who tested at 0.60.

“In that situation, because I had only had a drink of alcohol, the police suggested I take the car and I took the test and resulted 0.32 and 0.28 in a period of 20 minutes.

“I would have been irresponsible to drive, but having only drunk one glass I wasn’t feeling intoxicated. I’d like to apologize to my team, my sponsors and MotoGP fans for what happened. As a rider I should set an example and I can guarantee that this will never happen again.”

Moto2 champion, Stefan Bradl, has confirmed that he will make the move to MotoGP in 2012 with the LCR Honda team.

Bradl has signed a 2 year contract with LCR Honda, which will see him replace Toni Elias.

Stefan Bradl said:
“This is simply fantastic like a dream that comes true!” said Brad. “When I tested the RC212V in Valencia I realised that the LCR team is very professional and well organised so I am sure they will do their best to support me: making my debut in the premier class aboard the RC213V is great and I can not wait to get back on track.”

Lucio Cecchinello, Team Manager said:
“Next year will be very important for the MotoGP; starting from next April the championship will be rich of new technical rules and participants. Together with Honda we have considered several riders and Stefan was one of our candidates. After the test in Valencia we were very impressed by his potential and his determination: Stefan is young and fast and he just clinched the Moto2 World Title so we believe we can grow together with the Team in the next two years. He already knew the technical staff and today I am happy to give him our warmest welcome in the LCR Team!”

Bautista will hit the track today for the first time on the bike.

Fausto Gresini:
“I am particularly satisfied that Alvaro Bautista will ride a Honda RC213V in the colours of Team San Carlo Honda Gresini next year. He is a very fast rider and I also hold him in high regard for his personality and pleasant nature. I am sure that he will integrate swiftly into our group and that we will enjoy some pleasant experiences together in the future.”

Alvaro Bautista and Suzuki have announced that they will part company for 2012.

Suzuki, although not yet confirmed, look likely to run a team in the 2012 MotoGP season and will start the season using their existing 800cc bike.

Randy De Puniet could potentially be in the frame as a replacement for Bautista. De Puniet has yet to confirm his plans for next season, but he had a storming test on the Rizla Suzuki GSV-R yesterday by posting the 4th fastest time (ahead of some of the new 1000cc machines).

Álvaro Bautista:
“I am very sad to be leaving Suzuki after the two great years that I have had here. It has been a great team to work in and I have learnt a lot of things from everyone in the team. It was a fantastic experience working with an English/Japanese team and we have become like a big family, except we have never had any arguments and no-one falls out with each other! I want to thank everybody personally for the last two years, sometimes it has been difficult, but nobody ever gave up and I felt like I always had their full support and commitment. I don’t feel like I am leaving a team, but a group of friends that I hope I will know for a long time. I want to say a special thank-you to Tom, Paul, Ken san and Sahara san, and wish them and the rest of the team all the best for the future.”