Britain's Cal Crutchlow goes into this weekend's Phillip Island MotoGP round fresh off a podium in Japan but warns that ten guys could be fighting for three podium spots on Sunday in Australia.

The LCR Honda man  won at the coastal track two years ago but isn't expecting a repeat of that victory as the pack is much closer now than it was then.

“We have to take on board that we had a great race last weekend in Japan and the team did a great job for me to finish in second place. I think that the momentum is there and I think I’m riding well in the moment,” said Crutchlow, speaking at the track.

“But to repeat 2016 is difficult and to have a 1.6 second lead doesn’t usually happen here, as we saw from last year’s race, which was so tight with many passes and a lot of riders able to challenge for the win.

"If you look on paper now, I think there are potentially ten guys who could possibly win this race, but there are only three spots on the podium, so I think you’ll get to see a good race first and foremost.

“I think we will all enjoy and hopefully have a good battle and we will see where we finish come Sunday afternoon.”