News 20 May 2013

Crutchlow braves leg fracture for career-best MotoGP result

English hardman Cal Crutchlow's gave his French-based Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha team a home podium at Le Mans on Sunday, despite the pain of a fracture right leg sustained during practice.

Second place despite a broken leg - impressive for Cal Crutchlow!

Second place despite a broken leg – impressive for Cal Crutchlow!

English hardman Cal Crutchlow’s gave his French-based Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha team a home podium at Le Mans on Sunday, despite the pain of a fracture right leg sustained during practice.

Crutchlow was ejected from his Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha YZR-M1 during the third free practice of the weekend on Saturday, sustaining a fractured shin bone in the incident.

Despite his fall, Crutchlow went on to qualify fourth later that afternoon.

After gaining medical clearance to compete on Sunday, the 27-year-old rode through from seventh on lap one to clinch the runner-up spot behind Dani Pedrosa.

“I’m really, really pleased,” Crutchlow commented post-race. “It’s great to be up here with the Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha team as it’s their home race and the Monster Energy event, so we are pleased to be able to do it for the team.

“I had a big crash yesterday and I think it was going to be a difficult race if it was dry – I had confidence I would be there in the top five but maybe the podium would have been difficult.

“I was remembering what happened here last year, when I crashed out, and it was the same guys again; me, Dovvy [Andrea Dovizioso] and Vale [Valentino Rossi] were all together again at one point, so I knew I needed to make amends from last year and we finally got the podium.

“Marc [Marquez] was coming at the end and I was a little scared [laughs] and had to keep pushing on. I think we did a good job and we definitely deserve this podium. We have been fast all year and have finally managed to reach it.”

Crutchlow’s previous rostrum finishes came in the Czech and Australian Grands Prix of 2012, finishing third on both occasions.

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