With some impressive performances as top Honda and a few technical gremlins robbing LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow of some running, the Brit has nevertheless had a solid start to 2017.
Do @MotoGP riders have to post a picture of the plane , airport , seat or something ? Just didn't know if again I had missed the trick …
— Cal Crutchlow (@calcrutchlow) 28 January 2017
Sepang
Crutchlow was ninth overall in Malaysia and largely concentrated on engine configurations, testing a lot for HRC this preseason. The first few days on track in 2017 had positive reports from the Brit – with the next test set for Phillip Island, the venue of his second win in 2016, and that positivity looking set to remain...
Phillip Island
Australia was another good outing. Returning to the track for the first time since winning there, Crutchlow ended Australia in the top five and close to the laptimes of both Repsol Honda Team riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa. Race pace was also strong for the Brit Down Under, and Crutchlow didn’t set an all-out timeattack. With the venue expected as one of his strongest, the P5 at Phillip Island was the 2016 race winner's best overall classification in preseason.
Qatar
With some mechanical issues on Day 1 limiting his running, Crutchlow nevertheless remained a key presence on the track – ending the first day as fastest Honda as he shot up the timesheets on his final lap. The last day of preseason saw Crutchlow then end the test in P9 overall and eighth on the day – ahead of reigning Champion Marc Marquez and second fastest Honda after Dani Pedrosa.
A good omen for the season?