MotoGP: Crutchlow denied carbon swing arm by Bradl crash

Cal Crutchlow has once again been denied a chance to try Honda’s new carbon fibre swing arm, after the part due to sent his way for yesterday’s Brno test was damaged by test rider Stefan Bradl during this weekend’s Czech Grand Prix.

Complaining after the race that it had cost him the ability to sit with fellow Honda rider Marc Marquez as his rear tyre faded and the Spaniard’s didn’t, Crutchlow hit out at Bradl for the mistake that cost him his chance.

“The swing arm has already landed in Austria, and Bradl says he can’t remember what happened. But I can tell you what happened – he was completely out of control. He could have ridden around, had a solid race and got some information for Honda instead of knocking everyone off.”

The Brit also hit out at Bradl and his fellow test riders after the test. The German took Bradley Smith and Maverick Viñales out of Sunday’s race with an ill-fated opening lap overtake, the latest in a series of high-profile crashes involving test riders on wildcard appearances.

“I think it’s nice to have a wildcard now and then, but I also look at Casey who is a test rider that has no interest in racing. He’s got no point to prove, and maybe that’s the way to be a test rider. He doesn’t want to race any more, but these other guys think that when they come here to race they’re going to get a job offer at the end of it.

“They’re in that position for a reason and it’s normally because they weren’t fast enough or good enough to keep a racing job. They want to come in and race and prove a point every time, expect for Guintoli, who does a good job too and has nothing to prove. But we need test riders – they do important work.”