Gritty Crutchlow fantastic at Le Mans.
Discussion
No, I know you may see this on the biker threads but in case some competitionheads missed this today at Le Mans MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow, despite crashing earlier in the weekend and busting a leg(!), came second on his second string Yamaha on diry greasy conditions. Whilst most around him like Rossi made mistakes, some costly, and 2 time MGP world champion Lorenzo was feeble (7th) Cal's progress appeared faultless as he progressed from 7th to the podium position, his best result to date in MGP.
I thought the BBC commentators didn't give credit. In the damp but drying conditions, the wet tyres looked not unsurprisingly, woeful in the closing laps. Only winner Pedrosa's works Honda was ahead at the end, maybe because he's half Cal's weight. Having said that Pedrosa's young team mate Marquez (who’s going to be a brilliant MotoGP star of the future in the Stoner vein) nearly caught Cruchlow on the final lap. Another superb ride from the young pole-sitter who sank to 8th on the opening lap. Boy, can he race?
Great job from griity Cal I think.
Ducatis were a good 4th & 5th, and Cal's English MGP rookie team mate Bradley Smith was 9th.
Breathtaking racing as usual. Look for the reports.
I thought the BBC commentators didn't give credit. In the damp but drying conditions, the wet tyres looked not unsurprisingly, woeful in the closing laps. Only winner Pedrosa's works Honda was ahead at the end, maybe because he's half Cal's weight. Having said that Pedrosa's young team mate Marquez (who’s going to be a brilliant MotoGP star of the future in the Stoner vein) nearly caught Cruchlow on the final lap. Another superb ride from the young pole-sitter who sank to 8th on the opening lap. Boy, can he race?
Great job from griity Cal I think.
Ducatis were a good 4th & 5th, and Cal's English MGP rookie team mate Bradley Smith was 9th.
Breathtaking racing as usual. Look for the reports.
The Honey Badger was absolutely awesome.
I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. Every braking zone, turn in & exit had my toes curling waiting for the bike to drop in the slippy conditions. He took a few too many corners at the start of the race to dial in sending him back a few positions, but plenty of times he was the fastest man on track.
I was already a massive fan of his, these last couple of races now have me looking at him with pride.
GET THAT FACTORY-RIDE CONTRACT WRITTEN AND SIGNED YAM!!!
I couldn't take my eyes off the screen. Every braking zone, turn in & exit had my toes curling waiting for the bike to drop in the slippy conditions. He took a few too many corners at the start of the race to dial in sending him back a few positions, but plenty of times he was the fastest man on track.
I was already a massive fan of his, these last couple of races now have me looking at him with pride.
GET THAT FACTORY-RIDE CONTRACT WRITTEN AND SIGNED YAM!!!
Blayney said:
Please note I am a very casual fan. I happened to tune in today and was amazed to see him keep it on the track. Every time I have seen him race in motogp he has fallen off. Again - I only watch occasionally.
My toes curled every time he tipped it in or was on the brakes today - horrid conditions to race a hipo motorycle.Don't understand the "hype" around Pol Esparago. He's not setting Moto2 on fire and is getting his backside whipped by Redding. Yes Cal is outspoken but how much of that is the joker in him. I believe Matt Roberts is roundly worked over by Cal at most races. As for Marques He seemed to keep his tyres longer by not running as fast early on. Once past Dovi into third he lost pace to Cal maybe not trusting to push any harder. Maybe he is thinking about the rides now.
telecat said:
Don't understand the "hype" around Pol Esparago. He's not setting Moto2 on fire and is getting his backside whipped by Redding. Yes Cal is outspoken but how much of that is the joker in him. I believe Matt Roberts is roundly worked over by Cal at most races. As for Marques He seemed to keep his tyres longer by not running as fast early on. Once past Dovi into third he lost pace to Cal maybe not trusting to push any harder. Maybe he is thinking about the rides now.
This was Marquez' first wet race in Moto GP so I think he would prefer to get the experience under his belt, get an idea for the limits of the bike/tyres rather than push and end up with nothing.Cal is starting to turn into a complete rider. Obviously learning in the first year, whilst last year he was quick, but as said above kept hopping off the damn thing.
This year he has been turning in quick, consistent laps and getting to the end. The only satellite to be even close to the factory bikes. He is really putting himself in the shop window.
I agree it would be very silly for him not to have a ride next term on this form, however contract manouverings in MotoGP do seem to be very silly at the moment.
This year he has been turning in quick, consistent laps and getting to the end. The only satellite to be even close to the factory bikes. He is really putting himself in the shop window.
I agree it would be very silly for him not to have a ride next term on this form, however contract manouverings in MotoGP do seem to be very silly at the moment.
rubystone said:
I cannot understand why it looks likely he will lose his ride next year.
I can think of three reasonsBecause he only wanted a one year contract to keep his options of a full factory ride open.
Because he was ready to leave Tech3 and go to Ducati if they hadn't pulled out of the deal.
Because he has been critical of the bike and Yamaha.
If he keeps up these performances it will make it a very difficult decision not to offer him another contract
Corpulent Tosser said:
If he keeps up these performances it will make it a very difficult decision not to offer him another contract
I really hope he does keep up the performances as if he can beat Rossi in the title race this season then he must get a good ride for the following season. I do worry though how much he has upset Herve recently.Gassing Station | General Motorsport | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff