Britain's Cal Crutchlow is still suffering with a lack of confidence with his Monster Yamaha at the Misano MotoGP round and says he is not willing to take any risks as he has nothing to gain by ending up in the gravel.
The Isle of Man resident was languishing in mid-pack yesterday but managed to pull himself up to seventh in the final free practice before finding a lap in the last timed session to bag a second-row grid slot.
He had to go through the qualifying two period where he was surprised to be headed by Ducati test rider Michele Pirro and says that he doesn't know what to expect in tomorrow's race.
"I still didn't feel confident, we're still half a second off the other Yamahas. I'm not confident on the bike, we lose a lot to Valentino in one sector which is funny because all year in all sessions I have been the fastest Yamaha in fast corners and now I am the slowest. Obviously just riding like a baby," said Crutchlow, speaking at Misano.
"I'm not interested to take any risks. I won't brake on the side of the tyre. I'm trying to build my confidence back up and if that means being tenth or 12th then so be it. I didn't expect to be beaten by Pirro I can tell you that.
"I had no problem finding the time from Q1 to Q2 and it wasn't a problem if I got everything right. I was embarrassed to be in Q1. I remember Pedrosa was in it once. I'd be happy with top eight. I want to try something in morning warm-up but we're so slow that to pass anyone will be really difficult so I will need a good start and to hold my position with the guys faster than me.
"I'm not aiming to beat Marquez, Lorenzo or Vale but you never know what you can find overnight. Things chance but we have got a lot to find in one sector. I need to find confidence in the bike and feel confident on it not cruising round.
"My mindset has changed as I am fifth now instead of 12th. Bradley is having exactly the same problem as me. We are on a different tank and seat and it is the exact same thing I had at Silverstone and Brno. The others have evolved and we have stayed still."
