Reigning Moto2 world champion Toni Elias, who𒈔 has secured a return to MotoGP with LCR Honda, has been using the enforced winter break to in🐭crease his strength and fitness though a wide variety of training techniques.

"Toni has already 'tasted' MotoGP and he is aware about the efforts related to this machin🥃e," said team manager Lucio Cecchinello. "The weight of the two bikes [Moto2 and MotoGP] is similar but the weight/power proportion is more important aboard the 800cc bike.

"A premier-clas🎀s rider must increase his muscles especially in the upper body as in the breaking and acceleration phases he has to undergo heavy strains mo♎stly in the forearms and in the triceps.

"Just consider that the bike can reach 340kmh before the braking point! So a stro🐽ng hold of the handlebar is fundamental.

"The right training includes muscles reinforcement as well as aerobic exercises because endurance is very important t⭕oo."

Elias believes the key to such demanding training is to enjoy it; hence he opts for sports ratherಞ than gym work.

"I really🍷 like the mountain and I live nearby so, together with 🔴my friends Ivan Cervantes [Spanish Enduro Champion] we concentrated on the winter sports," began Elias.

"Climbing up a peak is not easy an👍d the first week there 💯has been very hard for me but then I have found my rhythm.

"In my opinion it is very important to enjoy what you are doing though it is very demanding. S♈port must be fun."

And nothing is more fun for Toni than riding motocross with hi💜s dad.

"I practice several sports: footing, cycling [road and mountain], cross coun𒅌try skiing and long walks with the snowshoes, gym and some karting - but what I like most is the motocross training with my dad," he said.

"We have got a motocross track next to our house and my father is spurring me to do the best always. He is a former motocross champion and he is still very fast! Well... I thin💝k I am doing a good job to be fit for the first round in Qatar."

Elias took one win and five further podiums whil🃏e racing in MotoGP from 2005-2009ꩵ.