Cal Crutchlow to make debut in premier class with Monster Yamaha Tech3 team – MotoGP news
Cal Crutchlow debuting this season with Monster Yamaha Tech3 has made his return from some intimidating situations from the 2010 season.
Crutchlow seemed satisfied after the first test ended at Sepang.
Crutchlow is a sole rider in premier class having no experience in Grand Prix class. Getting familiar with the Sepang International Circuit was just a start whereas rookie Karel Abraham has completed six seasons in 125/250/Moto2 class.
After the accident at the end of the last season, Crutchlow as well went through shoulder surgery like Valentino Rossi. He was appearing for the second time with Tech3 team on YZR-M1.
On the first test at Sepang, he got caught up in an incident on the second day of the three day test. Still managing after a hole on his hand, Crutchlow hit back on track to mark his best lap of the test in midday competing on final day.
Crutchlow filled the 15th place overall in the test. Faster than Toni Elias, Moto2 champion. Teammate Colin Edwards was leading Crutchlow by a second.
“From my point of view I’m happy. I’d never been here before, I’ve got the bike and tires to learn and I only had the shoulder operation seven weeks ago,” confirmed Crutchlow, speaking exclusively to Crash.net from inside the Tech3 pits.
“The bike is completely different. I don’t think people realize how different a Superbike is to MotoGP. Johnny [Rea, rode the Honda] here the other week and said exactly the same. So the main thing is to learn how to ride it. Sometimes I’ll ride it properly
and other times I go back to my old ways,” he said.
He added, “In Superbike, you don’t brake so hard straight away, because the Pirelli tyre is so soft. But then when you gauge the feel for it, you brake more and more towards the corner. In MotoGP you do most of your braking in the first 50 metres, then you
ease off and let it run through the corner.”
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