If Yamaha does not return empty-handed from this Aragon Grand Prix despite the retirement of Fabio Quartararo, it is thanks to its test driver Cal Crutchlow who came to replace the now retired Andrea Dovizioso. Incredible but true, the Englishman, who asked the Italian to reimburse him for the vacation he had to cancel because of his departure, returned to the RNF box with the two points for 14th place. Meanwhile, the official driver and holder Franco Morbidelli crossed the finish line in Alcañiz 17th, ten seconds behind him…
When this scenario is stated, Cal Crutchlow played on his humor by commenting: “ I thought I could be the best Yamaha rider here anyway ". Starting 19th, he found himself 12th in a first lap that he will remember for a long time… “ Pilots were flying through the air everywhere! I slammed on the brakes to avoid the helmet visors. I thought “what happens now?” ". Then I saw Fabio's motorbike. I was sure there would be a red flag ».
But no… He continues: “ then Taka suddenly fell on the track, I had to do a stoppie to avoid it. I was thinking about what was going to happen next, I wasn't really ready for it. There were motorbikes everywhere, I couldn't see anything. Remy Gardner and Darryn Binder almost had me hooked at that point. I was in the middle of the track and had to turn right. I saw it keep going and I said to myself OK, we're going to continue, they're all going, you have to go ».
Cal Crutchlow: “ Honestly, after the first U-turn, I asked myself why I came back here? »
But he also thought: “ Honestly, after the first U-turn, I asked myself why I came back here? ". Before he found the answer to this question, he put his nose in the bubble and ran his errand: “ overall we are pretty happy. I haven't run in a year. 20 seconds behind the winner is a lot, but I lost five seconds on the first lap. I think I was twelve seconds faster than in 2021 ».
He also had time to analyze: “ we can't really fight. It's very difficult when you're behind a driver. This is not a Yamaha layout. It's very difficult to take direction in the last corner. It feels like the grip at the rear neutralizes the grip at the front. At the exit, the motorcycle then jumps out of the curve and the rear wheel slips a lot. We travel long distances. But we have to be happy, the team is happy too ". The very one who must look for a new sponsor for a 2023 season still expected to be accomplished with Aprilia, Miguel Oliveira et Raul Fernandez.
MotoGP Aragon J3: ranking
Credit classification motogp.com
