Pol Espargaro was happy after the first test of the 2016 season at Valencia as the Spaniard finished the day seventh and content with his first outing on the Michelin tyres.

The Tech 3 Yamaha man was one of the riders who openly stated earlier this year that he was looking forward to getting on the new tyres, and despite a front-end crash the 24-year-old was pleased with the opening day of testing.

“We had to do a lot of laps to understand how this tyre works with so many laps – the rear tyre and everything – so at the end it was good to know,” he said.

“The front tyre is not really good, but I enjoy so much with the rear, so you know the balance is still higher than on the Bridgestones.

“For sure the Bridgestones are right now faster than Michelin – more than faster, safer. The problem with the Bridgestones was the rear but when you have the problems on the rear you have traction control and other systems to avoid that you fly.

“When the problem is in front you know you cannot do anything, when you’re sliding you crash so for the reason we saw many crashes today but I think this is normal.”

Despite the number of crashes at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo in the opening test, Espargaro believes this was likely to happen and he feels it is important to have such mistakes so everyone can learn from them.

“This is normal and this is good to know where is the limit – what we can do with these tyres, what we cannot do,” said the Catalan. “For sure what would be not normal is to arrive here with these Michelins, beat the record of the track and everyone happy.

“For sure we have to work. The brands have to build new bikes or new settings to help the bike work with these tyres and we will see in Malaysia for sure they have to improve – Yamaha, Michelin and the riders.”