KTM, Aprilia race riders join Sepang Shakedown test

This year’s Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test is being held slightly later than usual, from February 1-3.

That means it falls outside of the winter test ban, from December 1 to January 31.

As a result, MotoGP race riders from manufacturers with technical concessions – KTM and Aprilia – are eligible to take part in this week’s Shakedown as well as the official test (for all race and test riders) from February 6-8.

Concessions, for manufacturers without multiple podium finishes in MotoGP, include extra private testing with race riders. 

“We have six days of testing at Sepang, so I hope I can stay at 100% energy,” said home star Hafizh Syahrin, whose Tech3 team is switching from Yamaha to KTM this season.

“Six days may be a bit long, but it’s good for us to understand more the bike and try everything, the parts, and be… ‘ready to race’ “

Syahrin’s rookie team-mate Miguel Oliveira, plus factory KTM riders Pol Espargaro and Johann Zarco are also expected on track for an early 2019 debut at the Shakedown.

But while Syahrin sounds willing to try and ride on all six days, the physical demands of the sweltering Sepang heat means most KTM and Aprilia race riders are planning only a partial appearance at the Shakedown to save themselves for the main test.

The factory KTM team, for example, looks set to start the Shakedown with test rider Mika Kallio checking the bikes on day one, with Espargaro and Zarco joining on days two and three to help test the many new parts for the RC16.

Aprilia told that new test rider Bradley Smith will ride on days one and two, with Andrea Iannone and Aleix Espargaro then getting some laps on day three.

Honda, Ducati, Yamaha and Suzuki are not eligible for technical concessions and therefore can only use their test riders at the Shakedown.

As usual, some Suzuka 8 Hour teams will also be on track for the Shakedown, which does not have any official timing.