LCR Honda Cal Crutchlow began testing with a solid P6 and fastest Honda on Day 1 of the first official test of the year. The Brit, who took two wins last season, was on a 2016 frame with some engine evolutions to provide feedback for HRC.

The Brit put in 44 laps before rain stopped play two hours before the end of the session, the number 35 put in his best effort on lap 27, a 2:00.569.

Crutchlow was happy to be back in action with LCR Honda but pointed out he needs as much dry track time to go through his testing programme

"We need dry track time" he said.

"First of all, I’d like to say how nice it was to get back to the LCR Honda Team after a couple of months break. I didn’t ride a motorcycle too much during the winter,"

"I did two 20-minute rides on a motocross bike so today the feeling was a little strange for me, but it was nice to be back into some sort of rhythm with the team.

“In terms of testing, today we were able to give some feedback immediately as we started with our testing programme, and at the moment we are going through a few small things that we have to try." He added

"Then the plan is that over the next two days we can test and evaluate some other things for Honda.”