MOTORSPORT: THERE were plenty of encouraging signs for Cal Crutchlow and his LCR Honda team to take away from a week of testing at Phillip Island as the official pre-season test came to an end in Australia.
Coventry-born Crutchlow was again up towards the top of the timesheets on his Honda RC213V and looks in a good place with just one testing session left before the start of the 2017 MotoGP World Championship.
While his best time was a 1:29.101, Crutchlow was strong throughout and finished with an impressive 15-lap run at an average of 1’29.5s – similar to Maverick Viñales, who went quickest overall on the final day in Victoria on Friday.
Having not pushed for an out-and-out fast lap, the Crutchlow was pleased with his efforts and remains confident he has plenty more in hand.
“We were happy with Friday’s test, and even though we were unable to set a fast lap time this was just down to a couple of slight problems in the morning when the track was in the best shape.
“That was when the temperature was good and the faster laps went in for other riders. The priority for our day, however, was to do a long run and get some more information for Honda.
“We managed that in the end and we were quite pleased with how it all went considering we also had a small issue in the long run. Our big limitation of the day only seemed to be the new front tyre, and not just for us, for many riders, when we found we were really on the limit and unable to push.”
A final three-day test now takes place at the Losail circuit in Qatar next month before the 2017 season gets underway at the same location on March 26.
Crutchlow added: “Now we have to give all the information we have gathered in the past three days to HRC, and I think we can be positive ahead of the next test in Qatar.
“We look forward to going there now, and working well as a team once more.”
