Ducati’s Cal Crutchlow is feeling a little happier this evening, and was ‘pleasantly surprised’ with his pace during the MotoGP race at Silverstone. The Brit is not completely happy with the result, as he wanted to finish higher that twelfth, but he did better than expected.

Crutchlow did experience problems with the rear tyre, which he said was competed destroyed at the end of the race. He still lacked grip, especially in the corners, and did gamble with a harder option in the front, for the actual race. With the uncertainty of the tyre choice the former World Supersport champ was a bit cautious, but was still able to battle with his fellow countrymen out on the circuit.

“The result I think is disappointing but I am pleasantly surprised with the lap times in the race, we were quite consistent and we were faster than the practice sessions over the weekend,” said Crutchlow, at the track.

“We had a problem with the rear tyre after ten laps and it was completely destroyed at the end of the race and I need rear grip to turn the bike. We took a massive gamble with the tyres  and we went with the harder front tyre, as that is what we thought the rest of the grid were using, but that wasn’t the case.

“I was scared during the start of the race on this tyre – but I am happy enough with the race, but twelfth is not what I wanted. I am looking forward to Misano as I have had sometime riding the track.

“I have had some bad problems with my shoulder and I woke up in a lot of pain, because of the cold weather.  I had a strange feeling with the shoulder while riding, but already I was not going as fast as physically possible.”

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