LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow will prioritise testing a new spec of engine and doing more work on the unified software at the Phillip Island MotoGP test, which starts in around eight hours.
Crutchlow got an upgraded version of last year’s RC213V motor on the final day at Sepang but it wasn’t the newest that works riders Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa were using. However, the Isle of Man resident says this and making the new electronics function better will dominate most of his time in Australia.
“I would like to be able to see what we can test, but I would say that the engine will be the priority along with the electronics. We need to make the electronics work with the engine. Even with last year’s engine the new electronics were not working so well. So I think the priorities will be to evaluate the engine and also try and dial these electronics in as all of us on the Honda were a long way off in Sepang,” said Crutchlow.
“I think though that we gained some valuable information and they will have done their research since then, but they will be our two top priorities. Whether I will be on last year’s engine, the middle engine of this year's engine I am not too sure at the moment, but we have enough things to test at Phillip Island. There is some stuff we didn't even get to test last year, plus we haven't even touched our chassis or anything else yet as Honda haven't changed that yet, as it's not a priority at the moment.
“That is why I think the potential of the Honda is a lot more, because if you look at what we have actually focused on, when we can bring it all together as one and also make a change a little into the season with regard to the swingarm or chassis or something else, then the combination could work really well.
“Last year’s chassis is also quite good at the moment as well, so we are working as a team and with Honda on a daily basis and hopefully everything will go to plan. We just have to be patient, patience at the moment is one of the main things. We know that a lot of the other bikes around us are quite ready compared to us. That’s why I say, while we have a long way to go at the moment, the potential is massive.”