WithU Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow completed the Japanese Grand Prix with one MotoGP Championship point on Sunday. Saturday’s qualifying washout was replaced with dry running for Sunday’s 24-lap race as Crutchlow launched from 23rd on the grid.
Following a two-position promotion on the opening lap, the Brit’s pace continued to increase as he circulated on the edge of the points, battling fellow Yamaha rider Franky Morbidelli before crossing the line in 15th. “Honestly, the mistake made is I forgot to press the launch control devices so I started really badly,” Crutchlow explained on Sunday evening from Motegi. “As you know with the Yamaha, the straight line speed is not amazing with the acceleration, so I was just being patient with the whole race.“I came from a long way back to the position that I am in.
I’m happy with the race that I did, I couldn’t have done anymore. “My pace in the middle of the race was really good and I’m pleased with that.
I think I would have been in the top ten today easily with the pace that I had if I started in a good way and also if I qualified in a good way.