Cal Crutchlow has therefore decided to put an end to the hard life of a regular Grand Prix driver. However, he is not breaking with a MotoGP which he will appreciate in homeopathic doses while enjoying his new status as a tester for Yamaha. However, to properly fulfill his mission, the Englishman knows that he will have to stay in good shape. An allusion to his predecessor Jorge Lorenzo who seemed to let himself go?
A good test pilot makes sure to stay in shape and maintain his velocity. Which is not so simple when you are no longer in the rhythm of the competition. It is even more complex to manage in a period controlled by a pandemic which imposes, in particular, confinement. A conjunction that seemed to trap Jorge Lorenzo. The latter, summoned suddenly by Yamaha for a test in Portimao returned a copy which, to say the least, shocked the decision-makers at Iwata…
So much so that Por Fuera did not see his contract renewed, Yamaha preferring him Cal Crutchlow coming off a full season, albeit one marred by injuries. But the old pilot Honda understood the situation and what was at stake. In comments reported by speedweek, he says : " it won't be easy to keep in shape and at your level », recognizes the 35-year-old Briton. But he has his plan: “ When it comes to my training, I don't give up. But the problem I've had with my arms in recent years has to be dealt with by riding more often than not. And of course it won't, at least not as much as I did this year ", added Crutchlow, who suffered from compartment syndrome over the summer and underwent surgery on his right forearm.
Still, he doesn't see this as a problem for the work of test pilots. “ You stand so often that you should be fine for the most part. But from a racing point of view... ". A reflection which reminds us that Crutchlow must also be able to replace one of the drivers Yamaha in case one of them finds themselves unable to hold their position. “ If I had been a test rider at Yamaha this year, I could have been used. Or quite often at Honda ". Indeed, from the Brno Grand Prix, Stefan bradl was employed full-time on the RC213V of the injured Marc Márquez.
Crutchlow fears possible replacements in Grand Prix
Crutchlow hopes for a quiet year in this regard: “ of course I don't want that because we don't want any pilot to be injured or unable to fly for other reasons. But yes, it's part of my contract. But it is not 100% certain if this will ever happen. It also depends on Yamaha's willingness to replace the rider. We will see. I will definitely try to maintain my fitness and speed on a motorcycle. And I think we're going to test throughout the season so we can stay active ».
An intense testing program is in fact the dearest wish of the brand's drivers who no longer want to suffer as much on their M1 as in recent seasons... Yamaha promised that Crutchlow would have work. His comments will be awaited with interest, both in substance and in form...
