Cal Crutchlow blamed a poor start in the first Bennetts British Superbike race at
Snetterton for preventing him from challenging for a much needed victory.
The HM Plant Honda rider went to the Norfolk circuit determined to close the gap on runaway championship leader Shane Byrne and looked in good shape as he qualified second for the two races.
However, a poor start in the first race dropped him to as low as eighth place, forcing him to make up significant ground over the remaining laps. Although he fought his way back up to fourth place, Crutchlow was frustrated to think at what could have been.
“I had a good race in the first outing but had to make up from a poor start. I was something like fifth or sixth and then got bumped further back so had to claw my way back up. I think without that handicap there would have been a chance of winning it to be honest, who knows?
His start for the second race wasn't much better, but the slippery conditions helped him climb back up to second place before long, even if he could do nothing to stop the charging Shane Byrne towards the end of the race. Nonetheless, Crutchlow was satisfied to come away with another podium.
“In the second race the conditions were tricky and to be honest we're always going to be up against it with the Ducatis and their traction control system, but we managed to get a podium so it's a big thank you to everyone at HM Plant Honda.
“I've dropped a position to Leon Camier in the championship which obviously I'm not happy with, but we've still got a way to go and I'm now looking forward to Mallory.”
