Britain’s Cal Crutchlow today confirmed he will remain with the LCR team in MotoGP for 2017 but it is not yet clear on what machinery he will compete.

The squad has a long association with Honda but increasingly-strong rumours in the paddock state team boss Lucio Cecchinello is in advanced talks for a switch to Suzuki. However, Crutchlow says that a deal to remain with HRC looks positive.

“I will be with LCR next year and Lucio had a clause in the contract that he didn't exercise, which we both didn't exercise, and I will stay there next year,” Crutchlow said.

"It's been a tough start for me but everyone, all my technicians in the LCR Honda team are working very hard and the technicians back in Japan are working 100 per cent for all the Honda riders. Sure, it's been a difficult start to the year but I think things can only get better.

“The bike seems to have improved a little bit in the last couple of races but I think once they improve, things will get filtered down to us and we'll maybe go a little bit better.”