Welcome to the beta version of the new Women & Golf website. Our web monkeys are still hard at work and welcome your feedback.  

Advertisement

MotoGP Indy: Bike balance error costs Crutchlow

Britain's Cal Crutchlow debuted the factory fuel tank and seat unit he has been after in yesterday's Indianapolis MotoGP race and it worked for the first five laps but an error in setup meant he lost rear grip at the point where he is usually strong.

After getting past rookie team-mate Bradley Smith, Crutchlow started to make up ground on the leading trio but a mistake in how the bike was balanced meant grip began to drop off after ten laps and he was forced to battle first with Alvaro Bautista and then Valentino Rossi, who got the better of him on the last lap.

"We had the new fuel tank this weekend, the first time we have had it and it went the opposite way for me - I was fast at the start of the race and bad at the end. We had the balance of the bike wrong, for ten laps it was good but for the extra 17 not so good," said Crutchlow.

Advertisement

"It was probably our strongest start to a race for a long time. The first five laps were a lot better than usual on a track that is quite bad for grip so in that area we improved but after ten laps I had no rear grip. I wasn't the only one as it seems quite a few did.

"Normally, we come stronger at the end of a race and it is clearly because of the tank and we didn't set it up properly. You aren't to know until you do the race. Now we know for Brno and hopefully we will get it right there. If not, and I don't like it, I will be changing back.

"I was disappointed to finish so far away from the podium but we were still top satellite team. We have to take the positives from that but there weren't too many others. It was a good battle. Me, Bautista and Vale, I enjoyed it, I have no problem with Vale's pass, it was good fun and all light-hearted.

"I lost a couple of points in the championship but as most people know, I'm not expected to beat the factory team so to be in contention with them I am happy with. I would have done the pass, and did do the pass, so it was one of those things. I covered the line but he still made it through. Bastard."

Articles you may like

Advertisement

More MotoGP

Advertisement
linkedin facebook pinterest youtube rss twitter instagram facebook-blank rss-blank linkedin-blank pinterest youtube twitter instagram