Monster Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow once again struggled with front-end grip in hot conditions in yesterday's Laguna Seca MotoGP round and only managed three full laps before crashing at the Andretti Hairpin.

Crutchlow had slipped a place to 11th from his qualifying position but was chasing Alvaro Bautista, who also crashed. The Spaniard was closing on the battle between Nicky Hayden and Valentino Rossi, and could have towed Crutchlow up to it.

“I lost the front at the second corner and it was a similar problem to what we've been experiencing in recent races. It was fine this morning in cooler conditions but as soon as the track temperature goes up, I have a few problems. Strangely it was only at that corner," said Crutchlow.

"It is a shame because I think we had a good pace. Bautista wasn't getting away from me and he quickly got up to Valentino and Nicky, so I think I could have gone with him and been in that battle. I'm disappointed I didn't finish the race and it is not good for the Championship but I wasn't the only one to crash today and it shows all of us are pushing on the limit.

"We have still learned quite a bit this weekend and the bike certainly felt better than it did in the last few races. Now we go to some tracks that I know and I'm looking forward to it because it has been a tough run and I need to recover the form I was showing in the beginning of the season."