If there is a driver who cannot afford another blunder after two consecutive Grands Prix marked by so many disappointing results, it is good Cal Crutchlow, from Jerez, which is the scene of the Spanish Grand Prix this weekend, he must bring home points, above all else. But before thinking about the race, you have to position yourself well. And that's what the Englishman did by entering the top 5.
Crutchlow, who took pole position at the Jerez – Ángel Nieto circuit last year, took a little time to adapt to the recently resurfaced track. Only eleventh in FP1, he then increased the pace during FP2 where he finished as the best Honda rider, taking third place behind the Ducati duo. Danilo Petrucci et Andrea Dovizioso. That left him fifth overall and confident heading into this Saturday's qualifying.
« The track seemed quite slippery in the afternoon, and we know the times here are always good in the morning. The afternoon was hot and very windy, but it was a positive session considering I wasn't feeling very well at all » comments the LCR Honda rider. “ I had some issues with my feel of the bike, which we will have to look at as the bike didn't work very well over the bumps ».
« Although it has been resurfaced, the track remains really degraded and it is very easy to make mistakes. If the bike is not up to par, you can lose a lot of time. So we'll look at that and try to be more consistent. Renewing pole will be difficult, but we just need to make sure we are in Q2 on Saturday morning » finished the teammate Nakagami, also currently in the top 10.
Spanish Grand Prix Jerez MotoGP J1: times
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
