Ducati’s Cal Crtuchlow had to abort his race simulation run on the final day of MotoGP testing at Phillip Island because his front Bridgestone fell apart after 18 laps so he was forced to pull in.

The British rider set a fast and consistent pace in the 1’30s bracket and dropping into the 1’29s on lap eight, so was in the same ball-park as former world champion Jorge Lorenzo, who did a 22-lap run.

“Conditions today were very windy, which doesn’t particularly suit the Ducati and we felt the affects. The track conditions were not too bad but we were more concentrated on making longer runs and make a full simulation but I had to abort after 18 laps because the front tyre fell to pieces,” said Crutchlow, speaking at Phillip Island.

“We were consistent in the run but there was too much risk to carry on and when I came into the pits, the front tyre was destroyed.

“I hadn’t tried the rear tyre option before, I just carried on. It was not my preferred choice or the best tyre we had here but it would seem the consistency was good.”