Australian Jack Miller has declared the potential of Ducati’s GP22 bike is “greater” than the 2021 Desmosedici after finishing 22nd in the opening day of MotoGP testing at Sepang.

Aprilia’s motorcycle racing team took first and second place at the test, powering past all opponents on the first day at the Sepang circuit.

Spaniard Aleix Espargaro came in top with a time of 1min 58.371sec on his ninth lap while compatriot Maverick Vinales clocked in a close runner-up at 1min 58.384sec.

Miller was 22nd-fasted, three positions behind Ducati Lenovo teammate Francesco Bagnaia and while riding a bike that has a new engine, electronics, fairing and exhaust available.

Miller described the changes to the bike as “nothing major” and while it is early days, the Australian sees lots of potential in it.

“We know that bike very well. But I think the potential with the new bike is greater. It’s taking time. It’s about working with developments that we have to make in order to have a better bike this time next year when we’re testing the 2023 bike.”

Miller won seven races with the 2021 Desmosedici.

Looking at the field more broadly, Espargaro and Vinales were among five riders who managed their best lap times on the 5.543-kilometre track, all under 1min 59sec, to beat 25 other racers.

Italian Alex Rins came in third on his Suzuki with a time of 1min 58.471sec, followed by Gresini Racing’s Enea Bastianini on 1min 58.638sec.

Six-time world champion Marc Marquez claimed eighth for Repsol Honda at 1min 59.287sec despite being involved in a minor crash earlier in the day as well as a fall.

The team’s Twitter account said Marquez, who was also involved in a crash in training last October leaving him with double vision, was “OK” after the latest incident.

Saturday’s racing was Malaysia’s first MotoGP test since before the Covid-19 pandemic, which led to the cancellation of three MotoGP events in 2020 and 2021 in the Southeast Asian country.

The pre-season test continues Monday at the Sepang circuit while the season will officially start in Qatar on March 6.

Pre-season MotoGP test times on Sunday at the Sepang circuit (5.543 kilometres):

1. Aleix Espargaro (ESP/Aprilia) 1min 58.371sec

2. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Aprilia) 1min 58.384sec

3. Alex Rins (ITA/Suzuki) 1min 58.471sec

4. Enea Bastianini (ITA/Gresini) 1min 58.638sec

5. Johann Zarco (FRA/Pramac) 1min 58.946sec

6. Fabio Quartararo (FRA/Yamaha) 1min 59.002sec

7. Joan Mir (ESP/Suzuki) 1min 59.067sec

8. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 1min 59.287sec