Marc Marquez spent much of the Sepang Test in the lower echelons of the top ten, but the three-time MotoGP World Champion struck back on Day 3 to shoot up into P2.

Getting in 85 laps as the weather stayed dry except for a brief shower, Marquez’ best was a 1:59.506 to put him closest to leader Maverick Viñales on the final day in Malaysia.

Both Marquez and teammate Dani Pedrosa saw big improvements on the final day to end the test split by less than a tenth in P2 and P4 respectively – on balance a good test after seeing such a big improvement from Monday.

Despite constant progress during the Sepang test, Marc Marquez expects to make further tests in the upcoming tests

“I’m much happier with my position today, although the most important thing is the rhythm." Said the Spaniard "We did a lot of laps, trying to get as much work done as possible, and it’s gone well."

"We’ve completed a lot of the programmed work, although not quite everything. We still need to improve in some areas in which I’m not 100% comfortable, but overall I’m happy because we’ve improved throughout the three days and this is the most important thing." He added

"Today we worked a lot on the electronics and setup. At the end I did a mini race simulation of 11 laps and sacrificed some of the available time in which I could have done a fast lap, but for us it was more important to work on the rhythm. In general I’m really happy with how the three days have gone.”

Honda rider Dani Pedrosa finished both Day 1 and 2 in Malaysia outside the top ten - but the 'Baby Samurai' shot up the timesheets on the third and final day as adjustments began to pay off.

Pedrosa, who is the most successful rider at the track but had never ridden the new surface ahead of the test, put in a best lap of 1:59.578 to go fourth on Day 3 - less than a tenth off teammate Marc Marquez - and completed 67 laps.

After 3 days of testing, Pedrosa highlights the positive achievements of his three days of in Sepang.

"Today we were lucky with the weather because we were able to complete a full day, do a lot of laps and get in a lot of work." He said

"It was the last of the three days, in very hot conditions, and being the first test of the year you always end up a little tired."

"Anyway, I have to say it's been pretty positive because we've made several steps forward. We suffered a bit at the start but as the day went on we've been able to sort some things out and be quicker."

We're still not at 100% but we're a lot quicker than Monday and that makes the first winter test a positive one."

After illness on Day 1 and a much improved Day 2, nine-time World Champion Valentino Rossi had a good final day in Sepang at the first test of 2017 – finishing the day locking out the top five.

A new fairing on Tuesday with “internal winglets” proved a big talking point of the test, and although the Italian was undecided as to its benefits, Day 3 saw the rider from Tavullia find something of interest ahead of the next test at Phillip Island in two weeks.

Rossi did a 1:59.589 for his P5, and completed 62 laps on the third and final day in Malaysia.

Valentino Rossi is happy with the positive findings of his team during the Sepang test

 “I'm quite happy, it was a good test," Said the nine time World Champion "because my lap times were OK and 1'59.589 is not so bad and we are all very close at the top."

"In general, the feeling with the bike is positive and today we also found something interesting to further improve the bike."

"At the end it was a challenging test but we found something positive.”

It’s been a good Sepang test for Ducati Team rider Andrea Dovizioso, as the Italian has been a constant presence near the top of the timesheets – and has given a lot of positive feedback following the three days.

Although still in need of some work in areas such as turning – similar to 2016 – Dovizioso is happy after completing a full program and thinks the Ducati is even closer to the front than last season.

‘DesmoDovi’ put in 56 laps on the final day of testing, with a best of 1:59.553 to put him P3 – behind only Maverick Vinales  and reigning Champion Marc Marquez.

Andrea Dovizioso was positive after the 3-day test at Sepang as he managed to achieve a good race pace while reviewing all options at his disposal

 “We finished the work we had in the program so I’m really happy. It’s never easy in the first test." Said the Italian

"We received a lot of feedback and go home with a good feeling - from what we tried and how I feel on the bike."

"I didn’t expect to be this competitive and I’m able to play with the bike, which didn’t happen last year." He added " We have some things to improve, like the middle of the corners."

"I believe that to fight for the victory we have to improve the turning but we’re really close. Pace on the used tyre was really good and I’m happy."

The next test at Phillip Island will be important for me because it’s a completely new track and it’s always harder for me. It’s different and has a lot of fast corners. But it’s nice to go to a completely different track before the season starts, so we’re readier."