There was a steady start to this week’s Phillip Island test for Sylvain Guintoli, but the World Champion was far more confident by the end of Tuesday’s second and final day of the test in Australia. Although the Frenchman ended proceedings with a light crash at Turn 10, he was pleased to have been able to renew his confidence.

“We’re working hard and I’m actually feeling quite upbeat tonight, despite being quite a way down on time (12th place, 1.3 seconds off the leading pace),” he said.

“It was important to get back on the bike here because obviously at the last test I didn’t get any track time, so almost no winter testing. I missed out on some good conditions in Jerez and I had to rebuild my confidence as well after that massive crash there. I had a little off today as well which, in a way, was quite good and it kind of woke me up at the end of the second day!”

There is now a two-day pause in track activity ahead of Friday’s Free Practice sessions for the opening round of the 2015 campaign.