Cal Crutchlow was one of a number of riders predicting an incredibly close MotoGP race at Misano on Sunday - or an “epic battle” to use his words - after the Englishman qualified sixth in an action-packed Q2 session.
Cal Crutchlow described his mood as “disappointed” and “devastated” after the British Grand Prix which he had designs on winning was cancelled due to a track surface that was unable to drain standing water successfully.
Cal Crutchlow has described HRC’s offer to extend his factory contract by one more year and feels this could well be his last MotoGP deal before retirement. But “that can change,” he conceded.
Cal Crutchlow was upbeat when reflecting on Sunday’s MotoGP thriller at Brno, stating rear tyre wear was the reason his podium challenge fell away in the race’s final third and joking “I got my comeuppance” after Valentino Rossi nabbed fourth place from him at the final corner.
Britain’s Cal Crutchlow says his strategy worked perfectly in final qualifying for the Dutch MotoGP as the LCR Honda rider finished second fastest behind Marc Marquez at Assen.
Fresh from a fighting fourth place, Cal Crutchlow stated his performance in Sunday’s MotoGP outing at the Circuit of Catalunya proves he is still adept at overturning his fortunes when all seems lost.
Cal Crutchlow revealed he soon became aware that Sunday’s MotoGP outing at Mugello was a “damage limitation” exercise, with all Hondas struggling with Michelin’s tyre allocation, which he felt was too soft once track temperatures rose.
Feedback regarding the resurfaced Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya was largely positive, after the majority of the MotoGP field tested there on Wednesday, with the quickest riders one second under the official lap record using a revised layout.
Cal Crutchlow was hesitant to state whether Honda’s riders are is possession of a distinct advantage around Jerez, and feels their rivals will find a way to close in after he ended the first day of MotoGP free practice at Jerez on the top of the time sheets.
Cal Crutchlow has revealed he is considering a possible offer from a rival manufacturer despite possessing an HRC contract that runs until the end of 2019.
Cal Crutchlow goes into the second day of MotoGP action in Argentina feeling “quite confident” after competitive showings in FP1 and FP2, and revealed he was not even approaching toward the limit to set his times.
The was result was one thing. Achieving it through a left field tyre choice was another. All in all, Cal Crutchlow was pleased to come away from the first MotoGP round of 2018 with a fourth place, and believes he has “something in our pocket,” going forward.
Cal Crutchlow has again called for MotoGP riders to undergo stricter anti-doping checks. The Englishman believes it is currently possible for riders to 'cut corners' in areas such as rehydration and weight loss:
Christophe Bourguignon, crew chief to Cal Crutchlow, has revealed the Englishman’s winter training programme was all of his own doing, and sees LCR Honda's lead rider as “relaxed” and “confident” of his chances for the MotoGP year ahead.
Cal Crutchlow has praised new team-mate Takaaki Nakagami after the MotoGP rookie’s fine showing at the recent three-day test in Thailand, saying he is sure the current advice he is relaying across the LCR Honda garage won’t be needed for long.
Cal Crutchlow reiterated his belief that 2018 could be his best yet in the MotoGP class after finishing the second preseason test of the year with the fourth fastest time, and feels the recent three-day outing in Thailand proves a “strange” season lies ahead.
Not even a severe case of jet lag could diminish Cal Crutchlow’s speed while testing in Thailand, as the Englishman built on his fine showing at Sepang in late January to top Friday’s MotoGP timesheets at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram.
Cal Crutchlow believes his pace on the final day of MotoGP testing at Sepang was a match for the best the class has to offer after ending a largely positive three days with the third fastest time.
It may only be day one at the first MotoGP test of the year, but early signs suggest Honda - winner of 2017's Triple Crown - is on the right course, after Cal Crutchlow said he was “pleased” and “very happy” with HRC’s 2018 engine.
Sunday marks the start of official 2018 MotoGP testing, at Sepang in Malaysia. All 23 confirmed race riders are present, plus some test riders, while Yonny Hernandez has been called-up by Tech 3 as they continue the search to replace Jonas Folger.
Valentino Rossi’s Ranch could be at the centre of a legal dispute after neighbours complained about the level of noise coming from the MotoGP rider's track.