Crutchlow: “It was a lonely race”

A lonely race it may have been, but the British rider claimed a fantastic fourth in Austria as Silverstone appears on the horizon…

“Yeah, it’s good job I’m married really because I get to go see Lucy and Willow after the race,” joked a smiling Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda Castrol) after crossing the line in a lonely P4 at the eyetime Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, a result that means he now sits just two points behind Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) in the Independent Team’s Championship.

Speaking after his fifth place in Brno, Crutchlow claimed he needed to “up his game” at the Red Bull Ring after two P15 finishes in 2016 and 2017. It’s safe to say the Brit managed to do that, but it was a quiet race for Crutchlow after fending off Petrucci in the opening exchanges. 

“It was a lonely race, at the start for probably 10 laps I had plus two, plus two of a second on my board and I thought just go away, I’m happy alone,” commented Crutchlow, with this kind of result, on a track he’s has openly admitted to not liking, showing the step forward Honda have made this season:

“The team did a fantastic job today, we’re pleased with how they’ve worked and how Honda have worked over the past year. Last year I finished 15th here in a disgraceful effort, so I’m glad to be fourth.”

Cal Crutchlow, LCR Honda Castrol, eyetime Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich

But 32-year-old isn’t just putting it down to Honda’s improvements: “I think it’s a little bit me and my team as well, Honda have made a step forward with the engine and like I’ve said all year they’ve done a great job, but I’m riding better than last year – not better than ever but I feel good on the bike. Obviously, I was disappointed at Sachsenring to not finish on the podium there. I actually thought I could finish on the podium today because I thought there would be a mess up front but no, the team and the bike are working well.”

Next up is a test in Misano, before the Argentina GP winner heads to Silverstone, a round the British rider is very much looking forward to for obvious reasons: “I did a good job and I look forward to going… I don’t actually look forward to going to test in Misano next week but I’m definitely looking forward to going in front of my home fans in two week’s time at Silverstone.”

Crutchlow claimed pole and a second place at the British GP in 2016 and crossed the line fourth last season. Can he claim his second win of 2018 in front of his home fans?

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