Everyone in MotoGP was testing at Sepang last week. Looking at the overall times gives us a clue about who’s where.

Casey Stoner finished top with Valentino Rossi less than a tenth of a second behind – that’s despite Stoner’s still recovering wrist and a crash in the first session for Rossi. So far, so business as usual. Luckily, the rest were somewhat less predictable.

Their team-mates both struggled, Jorge Lorenzo down in 8th and Nicky Hayden in 11th. Though that’s perhaps not surprising – particularly that someone who isn’t Stoner is struggling on the Ducati.

Loris Capirossi completed the top three, and with Suzuki team-mate Chris Vermeulen in 6th, it’s a very promising start for the squad. Suzuki has looked strong before though, and always largely failed to deliver.

Colin Edwards finished an impressive 4th; the other Tech3 Yamaha had less luck, with a massive highside for James Toseland in the first session hampering his efforts.

Toni Elias was the fastest Honda in 5th, beating the factory boys on his satellite Gresini bike. Which is worrying. Dani Pedrosa ended 7th, having gone home early to nurse his knee. New boy at Repsol Honda Andrea Dovizioso didn’t get on with the new chassis, managing 9th, and intends to start the season on the old chassis.

So my questions going into the 2009 season are: will Suzuki deliver on their promise this time, and will anyone – Lorenzo, Pedrosa – be up there with Stoner and Rossi? I might as well answer them: no, and I think Pedrosa will be there or thereabouts.