Ducati

Jorge Lorenzo has withdrawn from the remainder of the Malaysian MotoGP race weekend and will be replaced by Ducati test rider Michele Pirro at Sepang.

Andrea Dovizioso could barely contain his pleasure at ending the first day of MotoGP free practice with the second fastest time, the Italian stating he was “really happy” with his speed aboard Ducati’s GP18.

Jorge Lorenzo says he will make a final call on whether he will race at the Malaysian MotoGP on Saturday morning before FP3 after being left downbeat struggling for pace due to his injured left wrist.

Full Malaysian MotoGP FP1 results from Sepang

Stefan Bradl fills in for the injured Cal Crutchlow at LCR Honda after the British rider suffered a fractured right ankle during Australian MotoGP race weekend.

Jorge Lorenzo is bracing for a tough return to MotoGP as he aims to make a comeback at the Malaysian round following wrist surgery just over one week ago and concedes ‘I won’t be at 100%’.

Alvaro Bautista has said he is “happier than before” to be switching to the World Superbike championship after experiencing the strength of Ducati’s factory team first hand at Phillip Island, where he scored a sensational fourth place in Sunday’s MotoGP race.

Jack Miller attempted to sound upbeat after scoring a seventh place at his home grand prix at Phillip Island, but was surprised to experience a lack of traction in the closing laps after spending the majority of the race looking after his rear tyre.

Andrea Dovizioso feels his worst qualifying performance of the season is not a fair reflection of he and Ducati’s potential and a podium finish in Sunday’s 27-lap MotoGP race remains the target.

Jack Miller admitted his qualifying exploits around Phillip Island during a succession of light showers was “heart in the mouth stuff” as he shrugged off a number of terrifying high-speed moments to qualify sixth for his home grand prix.

Alvaro Bautista says the different gearchange feeling on the factory Ducati GP18 triggered his heavy crash in qualifying which relegated him to 12 th place to continue his tricky stand-in opportunity at Phillip Island.

Jack Miller was “satisfied” with the first day of MotoGP free practice at Phillip Island, and maintains his belief that a famous home is possible on Sunday.

Just over two tenths of a second separate Andrea Dovizioso from the top of the time sheets after the first rushes of action at a changeable Phillip Island today.

MotoGP Race Director Mike Webb has explained the reasoning behind Freddie Spencer’s appointment as the Chairman of the FIM Stewards Panel for 2019, stating the respect commanded by the American will compliment the experience and understanding of racing incidents that he brings to the role.

Alvaro Bautista says he’s relishing the prospect of uncovering what Ducati’s GP18 bike provides compared to his usual GP17 aside from more engine power as he prepares to step-in for the injured Jorge Lorenzo.

Andrea Dovizioso believes he and Ducati are in the perfect moment to attack the manufacturer’s bogey MotoGP track to assess just how strong the GP18 is, providing the chance to “go into the winter with some clear ideas” regarding fine-tuning development.

Jorge Lorenzo has undergone a successful operation on his left wrist and is aiming to return to MotoGP action for Ducati at next weekend’s Malaysian round.

Alvaro Bautista produced the ideal demonstration behind why Ducati has picked the Spaniard to step in for the injured Jorge Lorenzo for this weekend’s Australian round.

On paper Danilo Petrucci’s tough MotoGP weekend at Motegi shows no signs of letting up, with the Italian stating he will need to “make the impossible” tomorrow from the fifth row of the grid after a disappointing qualifying.

Jack Miller said he “got as close as he could to a perfect lap” of Motegi as the Australian claimed a third front row start of the season before crashing while attempting to claim a second MotoGP pole position.

Five places may separate Andrea Dovizioso and Marc Marquez on the grid for the Japanese MotoGP outing at Motegi, but the Italian feels that will count for very little once the race is underway.

There was to be no second guessing Andrea Dovizioso’s intentions after the Italian secured pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi, with winning a fourth race of the year on Sunday his only concern.

Jack Miller believes there is still more to come from both himself and his Pramac Ducati GP17 after showing strongly in both of Friday’s MotoGP free practice sessions at Motegi.

Of all Marc Marquez’s strengths that have carried him to the verge of a fifth MotoGP world championship at the age of 25, it has been his consistency over the past 14 races that has stood out above all else.