This first day of Australian Grand Prix has been anything but a smooth ride for Cal Crutchlow. Winner on this same Phillip Island track a year ago, the LCR driver hopes to erase this weekend the debacle experienced in Japan barely a week ago. It won't be so easy to listen to, but the Englishman puts his heart into the work. Tenth this Friday morning, it is fourth that he finishes his start to the Australian meeting.
A day whose epilogue also gave rise to an invective from the fiery Cal towards the HRC box who, in the middle of rehearsing a motorcycle changing procedure, had just released Márquez a little too close to the wheels of the satellite Honda... On his gestures, the Englishman clarified: “ I wasn't angry, I was making fun of them ».
That being said, we had to spit in our gloves to get to this fourth place: “ Sometimes we were close to disaster » Cal concedes. “ When I think I was so strong here in the tests. But it's no longer the same thing. We haven't changed the bike, but the tires behave differently. During the second session, we changed things and we were able to be faster. But I know I can go even faster ».
« In any case, I have the right pace. However, given the level, it will be harder than last year. It will be one hell of a fight. To survive here, you have to believe in your rear tire. There is a nice difference between soft and medium. We should choose the less tender option, but it will depend on the weather. We also need to improve the bike further. I am ready to seize the slightest opportunity ».
