Misano, September 11, 2016, 14:44 p.m.: Twenty-five seconds after Dani Pedrosa, Cal Crutchlow crossed the finish line 1,453 seconds ahead of Pol Espargaro.
He therefore joins the parc ferme as the first private driver of this Grand Prix Tim of San Marino and the Rimini Riviera. However, without the slightest complaint from the Yamaha Tech3 team, the Race Direction imposed a 1,5 second penalty on the friendly British rider on the grounds that he had exceeded the curbs several times.
So, obviously, after about 45 minutes of analysis and deliberation, Pol Espargaro was awarded first place in the ranking of “non-factory” drivers and his team the points that went with it.
However, the matter did not stop there because two hours later, Cal Crutchlow demanded a review of this sanction and, finally, for who knows what reason, won his case and returned to 8th position.
Even before this decision comes, Hervé Poncharal had told us not to want to contest it in case it arose, judging the points acquired on the green carpet after protest to be quite inglorious.
The pill, however, has more difficulty passing to one side. Espargaro Pol less calm and who does not hide his dissatisfaction with the Race Direction, as evidenced by his messages on Twitter: “Okay...Tell me how it works...One guy (for example today Maverick Vinales) has to drop down a position because he was a little wide in some corners BUT Mr. Cal Crutchlow can cut into 3 corners 5 times and …Truthful! Nothing is happening! Are you serious, Race Direction? Really? »
