News 17 Oct 2017

Zero positives for Crutchlow after crashing out at Motegi

British ace optimistic in repeating 2016 form at Phillip Island's grand prix.

Source: Supplied.

LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow says there aren’t any positives to take away from Sunday’s Japanese grand prix after he crashed out of the wet and miserable conditions.

Crutchlow started 15th on the grid before crashing on lap five, however he remounted and returned to the pits, making a swap to his spare machine, although it wasn’t be for the British ace, as a later crash saw him sidelined for the remainder.

“Obviously, it’s a disappointing end to the Japanese grand prix,” Crutchlow commented. “I was fighting at the start of the race, but I was really far back in the pack and there was so much spray from the other bikes I think all the riders found it very difficult to see.

“Then unfortunately I crossed the river at turn seven, there was some rear brake pressure and I high-sided the bike off throttle. But I remounted and took the spare bike and then had a very strange crash as I was not pushing hard and was about to enter the pit in one more lap because I was not going to score any points.

“We hit the stream of water in the back straight, but it was a really mysterious crash the second one. Now we have to take the positives to Phillip Island, which are that I won there last year, but there have been no real positives from the Japanese grand prix apart from visiting Japan itself.”

The Honda-mounted rider is expected to be a strong contender this weekend at Phillip Island’s Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix after taking a thrilling victory at the venue in the 2016 edition.

Crutchlow currently sits ninth in the series standings as just three rounds remain in the prestigious MotoGP World Championship.

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