MotoGP Phillip Island: Crutchlow suffering ‘worst feeling ever’

A dejected Cal Crutchlow completed his first day back at Phillip Island 18th in the combined MotoGP times on the Withu Yamaha.

Three years since Crutchlow stood on the Australian podium, the Brit was battling poor feeling, challenging weather conditions and instability with his YZR-M1 as free practice fired up on the damp island circuit.

Improving by almost two seconds across the day, the 36-year-old completed FP2 seven tenths away from Johann Zarco’s target time, with a 1’30.206 best.

“I was disappointed with the result today,” Crutchlow admitted from the Phillip Island paddock. “I have probably my worst feeling ever around Phillip Island with the motorcycle.

“The instability of the bike is not in our favour at the moment. We are really struggling to find a good setting with the bike.

“We tried a few different things, we tried the hard rear tyre for Yamaha, which we used some laps doing. We got some vital information for them. After that, we tried to work on the setting of the bike to improve the stability, but the bike doesn’t feel like my own around here at the moment. We will think about the setting tonight for tomorrow’s free practice.

“It was good to get two dry sessions. Obviously the first one had some patches. We know where we have to work on. I have good ambitions for the race here. The team is working hard and I look forward to try to improve tomorrow.”