MotoGP: Crutchlow admits he should have pitted earlier

Cal Crutchlow has admitted in the aftermath of yesterday’s MotoGP race at Sachsenring that it was a mistake to remain on track on wet tyres for so long, and that pitting earlier for slicks may have allowed him to improve on an impressive second placed finish.

Embroiled in a battle with Andrea Dovizioso and Valentino Rossi, the LCR Honda rider says a combination of not being able to see his pit board thanks to the unusual layout of Sachsenring and of deferring to the other pair’s experience cost him.

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“It was so difficult to manage at the start, but we tried our very best as always. I think I’m one of the strongest guys in these conditions, and I have been one of the strongest all weekend, I just needed to do it in the race, and I managed to do it.

“I should have come into the pits earlier, but I didn’t see my pit board, so I came in with Rossi and Dovizioso because they were leading. It was a case of settling for a possible podium or staying with the leaders, and I chose that.”

The Isle of Man native will now head straight to Austria for a two-day test at the Red Bull Ring, the newest addition to the MotoGP calendar – even if he is on standby for a quick trip home!

“I had a small celebration last night with the LCR Honda Team, we deserve it so much and we can now go into the summer break and the remainder of the races so happy. I also missed my wife Lucy this weekend, it’s only the second race she’s missed in nine years, but she is set to give birth just before the next GP, so I can’t wait for that now.”

 

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