Monster Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow has said he could not have gone any faster in today's MotoGP qualifying session at Estoril where he finished in eighth after being bumped off the second row in the final seconds.
The former World Supersport Champion is only a second slower than polesitter Jorge Lorenzo and would have remained in sixth has it not been for fast laps from team-mate Colin Edwards and Repsol Honda's Andrea Dovizioso. Crutchlow was faster than nine-time champion Valentino Rossi.
"I don't think I could have gone any faster or put in any extra effort than I did. And if I can keep coming to circuits that I've never seen and qualifying inside the top ten, I'm going to be really happy. At one point it looked like I might get my first second row, but to be in between Colin and Valentino on the grid for my first race here, I've got to be really happy," said Crutchlow.
"I pretty much lost a session too because I only did a couple of laps in the wet this morning. It wasn't worth taking any big risks and I don't think I've ever been so happy to finish last. It is not easy on this track and I'm finding it quite physical.
"I'm still having some issues with arm pump in my right arm and to compensate I'm using my left arm a lot and that is stressing the shoulder I had an operation on during the winter. There's no real time to relax and when you're braking from 200mph to 30mph, it is really physically demanding on the arms and shoulders.
"I'm really looking forward to the race now and hopefully I can reward the team with a good result after all their effort again this weekend. My aim for tomorrow will be to finish in the top ten and get some more experience of the bike under my belt.”
