LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow left the Sepang MotoGP test relatively happy with his work but is aware there is still a huge amount of work to do with the 2017 RC213V.
Crutchlow tested the lastest-spec motor at Sepang and made progress with both outright laptimes and race pace. However, engine braking strategies proved troublesome and the Isle of Man resident said he was losing a third of a second in that area alone.
"I did a long day on the newer-spec engine and it was quite positive. It was more positive than Tuesday, we were probably able to learn how to ride the bike. We, Marc and Dani made a not-too-bad jump in the laptimes and our rhythm is quite good,” said Crutchlow.
"We are happy enough for the moment but we have a lot of work to do there is no doubt about that and I still think we are quite on the back foot. But we know this and our team and Honda knows this, so I think we are all quite pleasantly surprised and pleased.
"We had quite a lot of problems with the engine brake and the bike not being able to stop, losing at least three tenths in that area alone. I think the next test will be more difficult it will be not so easy to get parts or do anything before that, it will be more towards Qatar."
