Cal Crutchlow returns to a Yamaha after a seven-year separation during which he dabbled with a Ducati and worked extensively on a Honda. An experience of 150 Grands Prix including three victorious ones that the manufacturer in tune would like to take advantage of to develop an M1 which has not strengthened during the recent period. We expect a lot from the Englishman. Too much perhaps. In an interview, he visibly wants to calm things down, talking, for example, about a winter spent treating a debilitating back pain...
« I want to talk to him ". Therefore Valentino Rossi broached the subject Crutchlow during the presentation of his new team Petronas. The now satellite pilot thus confirmed the great expectations of the clan Yamaha in this new recruit taken as a tester. This Friday, he took his first steps in this role and for the brand, on a circuit at Qatar which must be erased, cleaned and which is swept by the winds. In addition, his M1 is also that of Katsuyuki Nakasuga et Kohta Nozane, the other test drivers Yamaha . Suffice to say that this is a restart for the Briton…
« I have a busy work schedule " how Crutchlow. " For me, however, it's all about adapting to the bike. I have ridden a Honda and a Ducati for the last seven years. Now I share time on the track with two other drivers in Qatar. It will take time He warns.
Compared to most of its competitors, Yamaha did not do any road tests before this introduction to losail. A fact which is much commented on, and which Crutchlow dismisses as follows: “ It wasn't my decision, it was Yamaha's decision. But I'm happy to be able to be here. We wanted to enter Sepang, but it didn't work out due to the cancellation. The first days won't be easy, but there is enough to do ».
Cal Crutchlow has a back problem
Cal Crutchlow then specifies an element about his state of form which could be cause for concern Yamaha : « I've had a difficult few months. I have lower back pain since the Portimao race and I am in the hospital every week. We still couldn't figure out what was causing the pain. It was so bad that I even had to take a break from cycling. I hope there will be no problems on the bike ».
Returning to his hiring, he said speedweek : " my experience is why they gave me the job. This makes it easier for me to understand and evaluate things. I figured out how to go fast on different bikes. Of course I had a difficult year at Ducati, but I was also on the podium and I was fast at the end of the season He recalls.
What about Honda, the Englishman twists his neck at the prospect of him revealing the secrets of the RC213V: “ there are no secrets “, says the 35-year-old pilot. “ I bring my own experience with me. I don't think it's the role of one manufacturer to copy another. All have their own DNA and philosophy. I will give my feedback and of course I will compare my impressions with those collected in the past, but this does not automatically mean that my information can be transferred to each motorcycle ". See you this evening for a review of this Friday in Losail.
