The 25-year-old Martin, who was fastest, clocked 1min 58s on his Ducati machine after 13 laps, ahead of Miguel Olivera of the RNF MotoGP Team who ended the day second fastest.

Pol Espargaro and Fabio Quartararo ended the day in third and fourth, having dipped below the 1min 59s mark, while reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia finished fifth fastest by clocking 1min 59.067s.

Martin was in a jovial mood despite a fall after a crash on turn 7..

“I am happy with the bike, I wish tomorrow is race day!” he joked with reporters.

The fall left Martin with deep cuts on his right hand.

“I have a big abrasion, so let’s see if I can ride well. I think I will be in pain, but it’s just for another day so I will try to do it. The bike is smooth. I feel like I’m faster than on last year’s bike.”

The 5.543km Sepang circuit is a happy hunting ground for Martin, who holds the MotoGP fastest lap record (1min 57.790s) set at last year’s penultimate race.

Besides Martin, Bagnaia was the only other rider who posted the best top speed of 336.4km/h on day two.

The 26-year-old Bagnaia completed only eight laps.

“Tomorrow will be more intense because today we didn’t do many laps, with the focus to be on the engine,” he said.