Crutchlow: “We had a real torrid time with the rear tyre”

Cal Crutchlow secures seventh and top satellite in a hyper competitive Pramac Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Starting from fifth on the grid, LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow made a competitive start to the Australian GP and was fighting with the factory riders during the opening laps. Eager to emulate his 2012 podium, Crutchlow was aggressive in the opening laps in his attempt to stay with the leading four riders. Unfortunately they would break away and Crutchlow would be left to fend off the likes of Maverick Viñales (Team Suzuki Ecstar). The Brit would cross the line in seventh and within ten seconds of the race winner, showing that despite a sometimes difficult year Crutchlow can still battle at the front.

This solid result maintains Crutchlow’s eighth in the championship, though once again the Brit feels there were problems that need to be improved. The rear tyre on his Honda experienced a huge drop in grip during the closing ten laps, ending his chances of passing Viñales. Crutchlow’s attention now turns to Sepang where he ample experience at on the Honda through off season testing.

Cal Crutchlow: “Obviously seventh place today was not the result I wanted, but we did not finish far behind the lead group – I have finished on the podium here before and was nine seconds behind. Unfortunately we had a real torrid time with the rear tyre for the last ten laps of the race, we really struggled although I was riding as smoothly as I could. However, my pace was really consistent over the race, which we’re happy with, it just wasn’t quite fast enough on a few of the laps and we ultimately paid for this. But my team did a good job, I’m glad to come out of here with a decent result and we have to look forward to Malaysia now.”