Catalunya MotoGP: Seventh heaven for Cal Crutchlow

Cal Crutchlow warmed up for his British Grand Prix debut at Silverstone this weekend with a career best seventh place finish in yesterday’s Catalunya MotoGP round.

The British rider got the better of a tussle with factory Ducati rider Nicky Hayden on lap 10 to secure a lonely but deserved seventh.

His result bettered the eighth place finishes he secured in Jerez and Estoril earlier this season and for the first time in his rookie campaign, he finished top non-factory rider.

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider said: “That’s my best result in MotoGP and of course I’m happy, but I’d rather have got a result like that in a more entertaining race. It was just a test of concentration for most of the race once I’d passed Nicky and it was quite lonely. I caught him really quickly but once I got by I’d obviously used up my rear tyre trying to chase him down because I struggled for grip after that. When the spots of rain came it was quite difficult.

“The white flags were being waved like there was a monsoon but there was only rain in the last three corners. Part of me was looking forward to having a flag-to-flag race because it might have given me a chance of fighting with the group at the front, but the rain never got worse than a few spots on the visor. I still managed to pull away from Nicky but I finished 26 seconds behind Casey, and that is not too bad considering I’d never seen this place before.

“If I hadn’t backed off a little I’m sure I could have finished about 20 seconds back and that was good enough for the top six last year. Sixth to eighth position is where I’m at the moment but it is a good confidence boost as well to finish as the top non-factory rider. Nobody can ride this package harder than me and now I’m looking forward to Silverstone. I’m sure the support is going to be incredible and I’m really looking forward to it.”

For more on the Catalunya race see the June 8 issue of MCN, which also includes a 24-page guide to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone.