Yamaha MotoGP’s 2017 signing Maverick Vinales is making a habit of topping timesheets. After going fastest on first contact with his YZR-M1 at the post-race test following the 2016 season finale in Valencia, Viñales did it again as 2017 action opened in Sepang, setting a 1:59.368 and completing 72 laps on Day 3 to put in the best time of the test.

After concentrating largely on race pace on Day 2, the Spaniard did the same on the third and final day – and is happy with both the progress and the prognosis for the next test in Phillip Island, February 15th - 17th.

After topping again the timesheets on day 3 at Sepang, Vinales reckons he can still improve in the upcoming tests

“Today again, like yesterday, we worked mainly on the race pace." He said "We improved the pace a lot. I am quite surprised I could attain a 1'59 and I am really happy, because it was very fast and the bike was going well."

"We tried many things during this week, so I think we can have a better package for the next test in Australia."

We will bring many good things to Phillip Island. At the moment it is difficult to say which aspect of the bike surprised me most."

We are developing the bike, trying to better the package that we have, and I think for sure we have the best bike at the moment for one lap and on race distance. Step by step we are choosing the best things.”

MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez suffered a tough second day at Sepang International Circuit, ending the day tenth on the timesheets and also suffering a stoppage out on track at Turn 12 with a technical problem.

With track time cut short after the morning’s action was largely stopped by rain, the Repsol Honda rider and reigning World Champion wasn’t able to get through his anticipated schedule.

But is positive that the rhythm is already good, and problems are best had in testing – rather than racing.

Marquez completed 33 laps, with a best of 2:00.531. Him and his team-mate Dani Pedrosa share their impressions after the 2nd day of testing at Sepang

“Today was not our day. We had many problems during the day, started late because it was wet," Said the Spaniard "Then we had a problem and wasted time in the pits and then had another problem with the other bike."

"But it’s preseason and it’s better to have the problems now! Then it takes time to find the best setup and we’re using the same as yesterday with new parts because we didn’t have time."

"Tomorrow if the weather is ok we’ll try to improve. Even so, the rhythm isn’t bad and that’s positive." He added.

“We still have many things to test, and one of the things is the electronics."

"There you can lose a lot and we’re struggling be understand which is the best mapping for the engine but this is testing – so we just need to be patient.”

Yamaha newcomer Mavrick Vinales finished the first test of 2017 on top - after going fastest in Valencia
First it was Ducati test rider Casey Stoner, then Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Andrea Iannone – but it was the fastest man from the Valencia test, Maverick Vinales, who hit back on Day 3 to head the timesheets.

Fastest in the session and setting the quickest lap on combined times over the three days of testing, Viñales put in a 1:59.368 to go P1 from Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez. Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso was third.

Despite a small shower in the latter half of the session setting back track action, the final day of testing at Sepang International Circuit was a productive one, averaging the most laps set by rider – although the brief rain did put paid to most attempts at a race simulation.

One high profile crasher was Andrea Iannone – who went fastest on Day 2, rider ok - and Hector Barbera and Pol Espargaro also suffered incidents on the third and final day.

Vinales, who went fastest once again after topping the timesheets first time out on his Yamaha in Valencia, put in a mammoth 72 laps on Day 3, setting his best time on his 40th circulation of the track. Teammate Valentino Rossi, after debuting Yamaha’s new fairing featuring “internal winglets” yesterday, ended the day in P5 and just over two tenths of a second in arrears. The Italian legend put in 62 laps, with a best of 1:59.589.

Reigning MotoGP World Champion Marc Marquez was the man closest to Viñales on the timesheets. After spending much of the Sepang test in the latter half of the top ten, the Spaniard shot up the timesheets on Day 3 and closed out the action in P2.

Marquez did the most laps of any rider – 85 – with a best of 1:59.506. Teammate Dani Pedrosa similarly catapulted himself up the timesheets late in the test, with the three-time World Champion setting a 1:59.578 to take P4 – only hundredths off Marquez’ best. Splitting the Repsol Hondas was Ducati Team rider Andrea Dovizioso.

‘DesmoDovi’ has been a key presence on the timesheets for much of the Sepang test and did 56 laps on Day 3. The Italian, who won the Malaysian GP in 2016, was the fastest race rider on Day 1 of testing and ended the third day in third. After 56 laps, Dovizioso’s best was a 1:59.553.

New teammate Jorge Lorenzo, who had a difficult day one as he adjusts to the Ducati, maintained his impressive progress on the third day. Shaving off a lot of time on Day 2, the ‘Spartan’ got down to a 1:59.766 on Day 3, and got in another 66 laps of experience.

Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) was again a key presence on Day 3, and top Independent Team rider. After ending the second day of action in the top three, Bautista maintained his pace to close Day 3 in sixth. The Spaniard put in a best of 1:59.628 after 64 laps – a tiny margin ahead of Ducati test rider Casey Stoner in seventh, who did a 1:59.639 and 46 laps. Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) ended Day 3 in P8 with a 1:59.728, completing 71 laps.

Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was again the fastest rookie on Day 3, continuing his impressive performance after the second day of testing. The Frenchman did a 1:59.772 as the last man below the two minute barrier, completing the top ten. Teammate Jonas Folger was outside the top ten for the first time in Day 3; in P15 with a 2:00.312.

Andrea Iannone ended the third day in 11th following his off-track excursion, unable to better his previous times and setting a 2:00.045. Teammate Alex Rins was the second fastest rookie on Day 3 – just behind his experienced teammate, in P12 – and finished his Sepang track action with an impressive 2:00.057. Aleix Espargaro (Aprilia Racing Team Gresini) and Danilo Petrucci (Octo Pramac Racing) completed the top 15, in P13 and P14 respectively.

Red Bull KTM Factory racing pair Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith continued their long program of work on the third and final day of testing, setting a combined total of 129 laps despite Espargaro’s crash. The Austrian factory line up full time for the first time in 2017 and have been testing something new or different on every exit of the pits.

Next up, Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit in Australia as testing continues from 15th to 17th February, and the clock continues its countdown to the first race of the year in Qatar.

Andrea Iannone had an impressive first day on track in Sepang, but the Italian wowed further on Tuesday as he topped the timesheets and smashed Ducati test rider Casey Stoner’s fastest time from Monday.

‘Maniac’ Iannone was over four tenths clear of nearest challenger Maverick Vinales, and completed 40 laps with a best of 1:59.452.

The new Suzuki recruit is focusing on comparisons to evaluate a new engine for the 2017 season, and also tried a new front fork.

Iannone admitted is adapting quickly to the Suzuki GSX-RR as he registered the fastest time on day 2 at Sepang

“I’m very happy with today, although we had a short time due to the track conditions," he said "We could do much work and, most importantly, made a step forward."

"In the early runs we started with some configurations that didn’t make me feel totally comfortable, then when we tried some changes I found much more confidence and the lap times got a huge benefit."

They were not radical changes, more small improvements, but they proved to be very effective."

We are working very well, I am finding an excellent feeling with my team, they are working very hard and very professionally and this gives me a positive attitude that allows me to ride with confidence." He added.

"Today is a result of this, we improved a lot since yesterday and it is important for us to have found positive improvements.”