Michael Scott pays tribute to young Afridza Munandar
Britain’s Cal Crutchlow says he has stopped counting points and his focus now is on the season-ending Valencia Grand Prix and on 2020 with his LCR Honda Team. Crutchlow was disappointed but realistic following his DNF in Sepang, a victim of the hot, low grip conditions and a mystery power fade from his Honda RC213V V4 motor. His early exit, crashing out of 12th place at the tricky final corner, was in stark contrast to his second place result the previous week at a cold and windy Phillip Island.
“I don’t care about the points now,” he told MCN. “I only care about race wins and podiums. So now I’m looking at being fast at the final race in Valencia and seeing what we can bring for 2020.
“The positive is that I’ve had a sixth, fifth and second in recent races. I haven’t crashed since Misano in any race or practice. I had no grip here and couldn’t stop the bike.
“I got a rocket start off the line (from fifth on the grid) but as soon as I shifted to second I had no power, going nowhere. Five guys passed me into Turn One then I lost another three spots. That was too far back, you have to go with the front group.” Frenchman Johann Zarco continued his impressive transition to the Honda RC213V despite being punted out of ninth place as a result of a robust move by Joan Mir (see below).
“I’m coming back to the reality of riding with the top guys again and I made a big step,” he told MCN. “I had good pace, I’m back on the reality of top riding and I like this.
“I was trying to save eighth when Joan came in fast, he hit me quite strong. But no big drama.”
‘I’m looking at being fast in the final race and ahead to 2020’