FAB FOURTH FOR CAL
British star exceeds all expectations and now heads to Silverstone in optimistic mood
Cal Crutchlow was surprised to finish fourth in Sunday’s Austrian Grand Prix at a track that doesn’t normally suit him or his bike. His previous best finish at the Red Bull Ring was 15th and he was not expecting much this time round. But the Brit showed just how much his LCR Honda RC213V has improved by performing well at the stop-andgo track with its slow corners and long straights.
Unable to run at the pace of the podium contenders, Crutchlow nonetheless helped cement his position as Honda’s number two rider in the championship by finishing three places and five seconds ahead of factory rider Dani Pedrosa.
But while this year’s bike is undeniably easier to ride and faster (as proven by both Crutchlow and Marc Marquez being able to stay ahead of Danilo Petrucci and Jorge Lorenzo on the Red Bull Ring’s long straights), Crutchlow told MCN that multiple factors are actually helping them to go faster. “I felt good all weekend, a lot better than in past years,” he said. “The bike isn’t much different except that our engine is stronger and that’s allowing me to ride a little more consistently. But I’m riding better and my team and Honda are working so well together. “We still need some more for me to be competitive with the Ducati week-in and week-out because their bike is faster and turns better. But we’ve got to be happy with what Honda have done this year. Marc and I are a lot more competitive than we were.”
And with his best-ever result at the Red Bull Ring now under his belt, Crutchlow has the perfect momentum to carry him into his home grand prix in 10 days’ time. He’s had mixed results at the Northants track, but he now has high hopes. “I had a fourth place last year at Silverstone following a 15th place in Austria, so maybe a fourth in Austria this year is what we need to be competitive at home. I was fast at Silverstone last year and I intend to be fast again this year.”