British Superbikes Guadix test: Cal Crutchlow - 'I didn't think Ducati would be as fast here'

Shane Byrne may have been at the top of the time sheets at Almeria but HM Plant Honda rider Cal Crutchlow had thought the Airwaves Ducati team would have struggled more at the Guadix circuit.

He told MCN: “I am pleased we’ve been competitive throughout the week against the Ducatis and Suzukis, and the Ducatis at Almeria were bound to go faster because of the flowing nature of the circuit.

“I do think they wouldn’t be as fast here – this circuit is better as it resembles a British circuit.

“We’ve been faster than the Suzukis every day of testing which is good considering the amount of testing they’ve had.”

And when it comes to who he’s up against come the start of the championship there was no doubting the two names that came up.

“Shakey (Shane Byrne) is obviously fast and so is Leon (Haslam).

“Shakey was fast at Almeria and Leon was half a second faster than me overall, but I did have to sit out the second half of the last day after my crash.

“Both Leon and Shakey are fast but I don’t think they are any faster than me.

“And I’m impressed with (Atsushi) Watanabe coming to circuits he’s not ridden before and he’s gone quite well so he’ll be good for the championship as well.”