MotoGP: Second official test gets underway at Phillip Island

MotoGP’s second official pre-season test of 2017 is set to get underway this evening at 2245 UK time, with the full field taking to Australia’s Phillip Island for three days of action at one of the calendar’s more unusual circuits.

Running at the old-school fast and flowing track for three eight-hour days, from 0945 to 1745 local time, this year’s outing on Australia’s south coast looks to have better conditions than both last year’s cold track and the last Malaysia test’s rain, with warm and dry conditions forecast for all three days.

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The test looks set to see Yamaha’s sensational new signing Maverick Viñales, fastest at his first two tests for the team, out to continue his streak – and that’s more than possible as he takes to a track that he loves.

The two days may also see yet more innovation coming from the MotoGP field, after the first Sepang test two weeks ago saw a host of new technology appear on track. Yamaha were able to unveil new winglets that skirt the recent ban by placing them inside the fairing, while Ducati’s test riders debuted a mysterious under-seat box that has created much speculation.

However, two men from the Sepang test who won’t be riding in Australia are first day fastest man Casey Stoner and Marc VDS rider Tito Rabat. Stoner, Ducati’s test rider now, won’t take part in the test, while Rabat is still recovering from injuries sustained at the Malaysian test.

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