Crutchlow: “I thought I was on fire”

Cal Crutchlow has revealed that he was lucky to escape serious injury when he crashed in the final session of the three day test in Portimao. The 24 year old Brit low sided his factory Yamaha R1 in the final corner.

Speaking to MCN he said: “It was a 130mph crash. Where the grandstand ends on the outside of the track there is a gap and the wind was coming through and it took my front away. I felt it going and initially I saved it but then I ended up so far off the bike that I crashed anyway.

“I was sliding on my front across the track, but I was going so fast and I knew that I needed to scrub some speed off because I didn’t want to hit the gravel feet first, as that’s a sure way to flip yourself up and brake your legs. I was digging my hands into the ground so hard I wore through my gloves. My leathers are so scuffed on the forearms, thighs and there’s not a single sponsor logo left on the front. Luckily I didn’t role, I just slid. I nearly made it to the barrier though and when I did stop I was so hot I thought I was on fire.”

Minutes later Crutchlow returned to the pits and jumped on his second bike, but was unable to better his time set on Friday. Crutchlow finished fourth in the overall standings behind fellow Brits Jonathan Rea, Leon Haslam and Shane Byrne.