Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider Cal Crutchlow says he underestimated shift to MotoGP – MotoGP news
Monster Yamaha Tech3 rider Cal Crutchlow has admitted that shifting from Superbikes into MotoGP was not an easy task and he underestimated the extent of the race.
However, he said he is enjoying his rookie season in the premier class with the satellite Yamaha team Tech3.
The British rider made his debut run at the 2011 MotoGP season opener round in Qatar earlier this year. Prior his premier class debut, Crutchlow successfully impressed the Yamaha factory with his shining performance in the World Supersport and World Superbike
Championships to confirm a seat in the Yamaha’s satellite team.
Since then, the British rider has been occasionally showing his talent by giving some fast performances on the track. He managed a top six position at the Jerez event and in the recent French GP, Crutchlow qualified for a better position than Valentino Rossi
and Ben Spies. He was at sixth place to start the Le Mans race. His best rookie performance is two eighth-places finishes in Jerez and Estoril.
About shifting to MotoGP, Crutchlow said, “People don't understand the jump from World Superbikes to MotoGP. James [Toseland] tried to explain to me the difference and I said 'I'll get used to it, don't worry about it', but now I'm trying to say it to others.
You cannot explain how big a jump it is - these boys are the fastest in the world!”
He was very realistic to reveal that at the moment he is not much acquainted with the Tech3 Yamaha M1 machine but soon it will be a memorable moment when he rides it. He praised the performance of Ben Spies who has made a successful shift from Superbikes
and added that many riders cannot do as well as he has done.
With all the facts and figures Cal Crutchlow is now standing at 11th position on the MotoGP Word Championship points table and has experienced only seven tracks out of 18 races last season.
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