If Jack Miller is generally quite discreet and measured in his statements, it is not quite the same for Cal Crutchlow who likes to distil provocative remarks in the media, even if they are nevertheless generally juicy, even amusing.
Thus, since the beginning of the year, the LCR team driver has taken pleasure in explaining to anyone who will listen that Honda drivers in general, and him in particular, have the difficult task of making the most of the reluctant RC 213V. against the Yamaha “bikes”. And that, as a result, Honda drivers in general, and him in particular, are the best in the field!
You will find many examples in our columns…
One might think that all this prose is primarily intended to obtain from Honda a motorcycle with factory specifications, as the late Marco Simoncelli had in his time, and as Jack Miller is supposed to have today.
However, in practice, what do we see on the ground?
That Cal Crutchlow inherited the factory frame used by Dani Pedrosa during the last Barcelona Grand Prix and then abandoned by him (before trying it again recently). However, this frame, less rigid in its central part, seems to suit perfectly the British driver who now uses it regularly at each Grand Prix. Jack Miller only tried this frame at the very end of last season, during post-Valencia Grand Prix tests.
In the same way, Cal Crutchlow was able to test the new Honda tank during these same tests, thus revealing an RC 213 V that was heterogeneous to say the least...
Today, during the first day of Michelin testing at Le Mans, we could see that the Honda number 35 was equipped with the new ultra-short pot evaluated by Dani Pedrosa in Austin.
View video by William Voy
So maybe Jack Miller, under contract directly to HRC until the end of the year, has a theoretically factory-spec machine, but on the ground it seems Cal Crutchlow does. , and this, despite his complaints perhaps intended to hide it!
Still, this is not likely to soften the confrontation between the LCR and Marc VDS teams who are already starting to argue, not only over a bike, but also and above all over a rider, Frank Morbidelli, by statements in the media interposed…
For those interested in technology, don't forget our series “Spy Attitude”😉 😉
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