Suzuki's Andrea Iannone believes it will take at least until the start of the European MotoGP season to see the 'reality' in terms of the 2018 title c🌠ontenders.

The Italian expects a repeat of last season, where many bikes and riders show flashes of brilliance♋ during pre-season testing and the opening races in Qatar, Argentina and Texas.

But ✅from then on, Iannone feels, the strongest will clearly emerge.

"I think after four or five races it will be possible 🐟to see very well the level," he 𓂃said.

"The first part of the season is always different. Like last year; in testing many riders were fast, but after four or five races you s💯aw the re🐼ality."

Last season saw three different winners in the opening four races, and five winners by round eight. But Marc Marquez and Andrea Dovizioso then shared victories in the next nine races, setting up a Valencia title showꦿdown.

In terms of what matters in pre-season testing, Iannone underlined that pace is always much more important than posi🔯tion on the 🐓timesheets.

"If I start last on the grid, but pole is only one tenth faster and my race pace is better, it's possible to win the race. If I start on pole, buꦚt my pace is two-three tenths slower than the top ten, I won't win for sure.

"Pace is always the best."

Iannone left the Sepang test 13th overall, but just 0.785s from a record-breakin𓃲g lap by Jorge Lo💃renzo. Team-mate Alex Rins was 0.267s quicker than The Maniac, in sixth.

In terms of all-important race pace♏, Hon💯da's reigning world champion Marc Marquez was the man to beat - despite only setting the eighth fastest lap time.

A race winner at Ducati, Iannone is looking to turn the page on a forgettable 2017. The Italian feels he♛ and Suzuki have "a good chance" this season.

"We learned a lot from last year," he explai﷽ned. "Now I have more experience with the bike and the t❀eam has more experience with me.

"The bike has chan🃏ged a little, I'm sure in a good direction and I'm feel꧑ing positive.

"I'm confident, but for sure this is ౠalso the most competitive year of the championship.

"Many riders are very fast and the bikes 🍨- factory⛄ and satellite - are all very, very close.

"Many riders have a good opportunit𝓰y to stay in fron✱t. It's a very close, close championship but we will try our best for sure."

The second official pre-season test tak𓂃es place at Burira♏m, Thailand, from February 16-18.