Small fall but Fernandez 'very positive', 'happy' Gardner 'dealing with wrist'

Fastest on day one, Raul Fernandez equalled his lap time on day two of the Sepang MotoGP Shakedown test.

But improvements by others pushed the Tech3 KTM rider down to fourth on the timesheets, one-second from Aprilia's Maverick Vinales but only 0.085s from fastest rookie rival Marco Bezzecchi (VR46 Ducati).

Fernandez, who suffered a small fall (pictured), is sticking to his plan of clocking up the laps without changing his RC16.

“The second day has been very positive for me also because I continued my adaptation process to the MotoGP class. We worked very well and did many laps to try to understand different things," he said.

"I think this is the right approach for the pre-season; don’t change the bike, focus on myself and do a lot of laps. Tomorrow we will do the same. Many laps and try to understand the category because everything is different and new.”

On the other side of the Tech3 garage, reigning Moto2 champion Remy Gardner - who is making bike changes - knocked 0.6s from his day one time, despite recent surgery for a right wrist fracture while training on a motocross bike.

“I am starting to feel better on the bike because we made some good changes," said Gardner, who was sixth on the timesheets, 0.4s from Bezzecchi.

"I am still trying to deal with my wrist at the moment, but it's not so bad. The second half of the day was more difficult, it was hurting more, but anyway these days are for testing many things and keeping smooth.

"I'm happy. Can't wait for tomorrow."

Wednesday will be the final day of the Shakedown, with the Official test - attended by all 2022 MotoGP riders - taking place this weekend.