It’s now less than a week until the MotoGP™ riders return to testing duties at the Sepang Test, but before that, some teams and riders are already in Malaysia for a ‘shakedown’, which will take place between the 1st and 3rd February.

Usually, it’s only the test riders who take part in the behind closed doors test. However, in an interview back in December, Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal suggested that all four KTM riders will be present to gain as much data as possible, with Johann Zarco (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Tech 3) posting about their arrival in Malaysia on social media.

For Aprilia Racing Team Gresini, test rider Bradley Smith will be on the RS-GP for the three days, with Aleix Espargaro and Andrea Iannone expected to join the Briton on Sunday.

HRC test rider Stefan Bradl will join Smith on track, with Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Sylvain Guintoli and Mission Winnow Ducati test rider Michele Pirro putting the GP19 through its paces.

This all happens before the rest of the paddock reconvene at the Sepang International Circuit on the 6th, 7th and 8th February. Three days of action that you can keep up to date with right here, with reports, reactions, interviews, highlights and After the Flag episodes brought to you at the end of each day.

(Story and photos from MotoGP.com)