Reigning Moto2 world champion Toni Elias, who has secured a return to MotoGP with LCR Honda, has been using the enforced winter break to 🌌increase 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 machine," said team mana♛ger 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-class rider must increase his muscles especially in the upper 🔯body as in the breaking and acceleration phases he has t🏅o undergo heavy strains mostly in the forearms and in the triceps.

"Just consider that the bike can reach 🏅340kmh before the braking point! So a strong hold of the han🍌dlebar is fundamental.

"The right training includes muscles reinforcement as well as aerobi🍸c exercises because endurance is very important too."

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

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

"Climbing up a peak is not easy and the first week there has been very hard fᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚor me but then I have found my rhythm.

"In my opinion it is very important to enjoy what you are dꦕoing though it is very demanding. Sport must be fun."

And nothing is mo💫re fun for Toni than riding motocross with his dad.

"I practice several sports: footing, cycling [road and m🗹ountain], cross country skiing and long walks with the snowsho🐭es, gym and some karting - but what I like most is the motocross training with my dad," he said.

"We have got a motocross trꩲack 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 think I am doing a good job to be fit for the first round in Qatar."

Elias took one win and five further podiums while racing in Moto⛦GP from 2005-2009.