It didn’t take a bang on the door at 6.15 in the morning to make me realise just what a massive international sport MotoGP has become – but it was certainly a reminder.

I was in Gerona with Superbike stars Leon Camier and Chaz Davis when there was a knock at our room.

Leon went down in his boxers and opened the door to be confronted by the random FIM drug testing team looking for a certain Mr Bradley Smith.

Then I remembered, but had forgotten to tell Chaz or Leon.

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I had been contacted and asked what would be the best time for a random drugs test, although of course they don’t tell you the actual day.

I thought around 7am would be best before going out training and here they were.

A quick urine sample and all was OK.

It’s great the tests are taking place because nobody wants drugs in sport and especially MotoGP, but you have to be so careful.

Ever since I went to Thailand for Yamaha a couple of months ago, I’ve had a chesty cold.

I go down to the pharmacy with my laptop checking on all the banned substances on the back of the packets, but it’s not easy.

I’ve finally decided the safest way is my mum’s remedy – lemon, honey and hot water. It may take longer, but there are no problems when it comes to filling up that bottle, whatever time in the morning.

The proper testing has gone really well and Yamaha have given the team a fantastic bike.

But I wasn’t so clever turning up for the first test in Malaysia hardly being able to walk after a motocross crash.

In many other sports that would rule you out for months, but actually walking is not part of riding a MotoGP bike.

If I‘d broken a bone it would have been plated and sorted, but I’m amazed just how long the ligaments take to heal.

I’m able to hop up and down on the ankle and actually rode a motocross bike last week, but don’t tell the team!

It’s really strange, but I think the injury helped me and the team in the three tests.

I’m usually so frenzied and frenetic with the team about everything, but I had to slow down – not on the track, just because of the ankle – and it seemed to help us all.

I would like to say that will be my new attitude throughout the season, but when you are in the middle of a MotoGP practice or qualify session, I will probably have a bit of a rant.

The team understand because they care as much as me.

Those three tests showed just what the Championship is going to be like this year – just one second separating the first 14 riders.

It will not be that close in the race, but qualifying should be extreme.

I think Dorna have done a really good job trying to make the Championship as level a playing field as it can and certainly Formula 1 should take note.

Perhaps the only teams that will find it more difficult this year are the satellite teams, such as mine, especially with the testing performance of Ducati.

Last year it was a battle to finish behind the factory teams and, as I found in Australia, take full advantage when they have problems.

This year, finishing in front of Ducati will be equally as tough.

Those first three races, starting in Qatar on Sunday are going to be crucial before the factory teams start more development.

Last year I started on the front row, but crashed while chasing a podium – that must not happen this time.

I’m under no illusions – this is the biggest year of my career.

I was lucky to get a one-year deal with Monster Tech 3 Yamaha after the first half of last season.

I have to do much better or I’m in trouble.

Really all my goals lead into one.

If I can finish the best satellite team rider it means I will be the best Brit in front of Cal Crutchlow and Scott Redding, will beat teammate Pol Espargaro and have a great chance of a new contract next year.