The 2016 MotoGP World Championship set its first wheels in motion today, as pre-season testing got began at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia. For LCR Honda and their British star Cal Crutchlow it was a first chance to work on their Honda RC213V since tests at Valencia in Spain in mid-November.

With multiple regulation changes coming into force this season, these tests are crucial for the teams, particularly regarding data-gathering alongside new tyre suppliers Michelin as well as understanding what is now a common electronics package. During winter testing the LCR Honda Team are running a HRC Factory spec chassis fitted with an evolution of the 2015 engine, however by the first Round in Qatar, all Hondas will run the same engine spec.

The intense heat and humidity of Sepang make it perfect for testing the bike in extreme conditions, and despite temperatures soaring into the mid-30°C mark, Crutchlow put in a solid 42 laps before rain brought an early end to the day. The Brit’s best time came on his 36th lap of the track, with a 2’02.586 putting him tenth fastest overall, with another two days of work still to go.

Cal Crutchlow - 10th - 2’02.586

“Today we’re happy enough with how the first day of testing in 2016 went. We’ve got lots of things to try with the new electronics, and that’s what we spent the majority of the day doing. We know that the base of the package is working quite well, as we found out at the end of last year, so we spent the whole day trying to set the electronics so that we can at least ride.”


“It’s a difficult job, but I have to say thanks to the team as always because it was actually a good first day and we did everything we needed to do. However, we still have a long, long way to go with regards to the electronics and getting them to work with the Honda. We’ll see how it goes again tomorrow.”