Dani Pedrosa and KTM were on top of the timesheets, as 2020ꦅ MotoGP testing got underway with the start of the 'Shakedown'🔯 at Sepang.

The three-day test was ori⛎ginally designed to check the new machines were running correctly ahead of the Official Teꦆst.

It has now grown to include not only factory test riders, but also race riders from the 'concession' manufacturers (Aprilia and KTM) and - from this season - r🥂ookies.

The biggest news for the 2020 Shakedown is the planned return of Jorge🧸 Lorenzo to Yamaha, as 🦄a factory test rider.

The Spaniard was not present on track today, although there were reports that Japanese 🌠testers Katsuyuki Nakasuga and Kohta Nozane might have done some transponder-free laps on the latest M1.

It's a long way to fly for only two days on track and Lorenzo's Sunday absence arguably increases the chances of the #99 also being seen during some of the Official Test, when all 2020 race r🌳iders will be present, from February 7-9...

Either way, former rival Pedrosa was credited with the fastest lap time o💮n day one, courtesy of a 2m 0.625s during 57 laps of the Malaysian Grand Prix venue.

But while Pedrosa was top of the timesheets (above), it is🌌 not certain that he was the fastest rider on traꦚck.

The use of timing transponders is only manda൲tory at Official tests and no Sunday times were made available for KTM leader Pol Espargaro, or Tech3 riders Iker Lecuona and Miguel Oliveira. Likewise, Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro was not listed.

Of those that did set public꧂ times, Ducati test rider Michele Pirro got closest to Pedrosa, lapping just 0.017s slower while alternatiꦅng between two Desmosedicis.

Suzuki test rider Sylvain Guintoli was 0.595s behind in third, followed by Repsol Honda's Alex Marquez (+0.692s) - due to get his first taste of the 2020 RC213V - and ඣfellow rookie Brad Binder, who was the only KTM rider to posܫt public times.

Honda test rider Stefan Bradl w🎃as +1.012s from Pedrosa, with 🌞Aprilia riders Bradley Smith and Lorenzo Savadori completing the timesheets.

Red flag periods were reported due to late accidents by Binder (Turn 5) and then Smith (Turn 7). Both wer🍸e declared 'ok' although the Englishman, riding the all-new RS-GP, was said to have some 🍌bleeding from a finger.

Savadori meanwhile was gathe🧔ring experience on the 201💧9 Aprilia.

Suzuki test rider Takuya Tsꦐuda was the final name on the timing screens, alb🎶eit without a lap time.

The♉ day ended with some time dedicated to practice starts, perhaps requested by teams to help hone their 🐓holeshot devices.

Ducati an༺d Aprilia are known to already use such a system, while Yamaha is rumoured to have something ready to hand Maverick Vinales and Valentino Rossi for the Official test. It would be a shock if Suzuki, Honda and KTM are not working on similar ideas.