Cal Crutchlow 'sure' Honda wants to keep him for 2018

The Briton, who won his first two races in the second half of 2016, is the highest-profile rider out of contract this year, with factory riders all on deals through to the end of '18.

Crutchlow has represented Honda in a series of tests over the last 18 months rather than factory pair Marc Marquez and Dani Pedrosa, but the Japanese manufacturer has said it does not have the scope to offer him more alongside his existing deal with satellite squad LCR.

Marquez and Pedrosa left Tuesday's test at Le Mans without running to avoid the day, delayed by overnight rain, counting as one from their allocation of five, but Crutchlow does not feel picking up extra work improves his hand.

"We were limited with laps, this is why Dani and Marc never chose to go out and use their day," Crutchlow said.

"Being designated guy that does a lot of the testing anyway, I was happy to go out and do it for Honda.

"I was doing it all last year. Does it strengthen my position? No idea.

"But that's not to say anything is done or I've been offered anything.

"I'm sure Lucio [Cecchinello, team boss] wants to keep me, I'm sure Honda wants to keep me.

"Maybe there are other things I can do."

Riders sampled the resurfaced Le Mans on Tuesday, along with tyre compounds to be used at the circuit's French Grand Prix in a fortnight.

Having called for Honda to spend more time looking at its MotoGP chassis, Crutchlow said he also "tested loads" of parts, but remained tight-lipped on what could be used and when.

"[There were] some things that have never been tested before and some things that have already been tested," he said.

"We found some positives and some negatives. Maybe we'll try some this weekend [at Jerez].

"We're happy enough with the way it went, we have to continue to work."