Crutchlow: “I should have passed them on the last lap”

Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) seemed to appear out of nowhere to fight for the podium in the latter stages of the Dutch GP, but the two-time GP winner had made steady progress up from a bad start to put himself in contention. Believing there may have been more to show had he made a better start and had a better qualifying position, the finish was nevertheless close to another rostrum finish – only 0.042 off after being passed by Marquez on the last lap.

Crutchlow thinks the key was going too early, and showing his rivals what he’d got.

Cal Crutchlow, P4: "I’m pleased to finish and pleased to finish fourth. I was a little disappointed with my pace in the middle of the race, I had some sort of problem with my front tyre and I couldn’t push as hard as I wanted to. But I still thought we were on for a good result and kept battling.

“I got a bad start and that really hindered me, as well as not starting from the front rows. I think that really cost me the podium or even the chance to fight for the win because the pace was not drastically fast. After it started to rain I kept a cool head, but I made a mistake by showing Marc and Dovi my hand, I went too early and should have passed them on the last lap. As it was, Marc just followed me and passed me on the second to last corner and there was nothing I could do.

“But it was a great fight, I really enjoyed it and credit to the podium guys.”