Crutchlow pleased with updated-spec Honda engine

LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow says he’s left Sepang content, especially after getting the opportunity to try one of the latest spec of engines for his Honda RCV213, as the Japanese manufacturer continues to play catch-up with the all-conquering Yamahas.

“I’m pleased with the progress over the Sepang test. It was another different day on the final day, trying various electronics settings on the bike, and Honda were very generous to give us a newer version of the engine. It wasn’t the latest spec, but the one in the middle and we worked really well with it.

“We gave Honda the information they needed for some testing materials, keeping the same chassis, but overall we were quite pleased. We never pushed too much because we didn’t want to make any mistakes at this test, and I think we come out of it in quite good shape.”

The news comes as a welcome relief to Crutchlow, who had admitted to MCN before the tests that he was worried that Honda had continued to search for improvements in the wrong direction after also struggling in 2015.

“Honda know what they’re doing, but the problem is that they’ve had two phenomenons in Casey and Marc, and that has masked the problems. They’re two riders who can ride anything fast, and that hides the problems

“They can develop a bike, but they’re developing it their way. It’s not that their way is wrong, either; it’s just that no one else can ride that way! No one else is special like them – if you put Jorge on a Honda I honestly don’t know if he’d finish in the top ten!”