MotoGP Sepang: Crutchlow happy after ‘amazing start’

WithU RNF Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow scored points in his team’s home race at Sepang on Sunday after securing 12th in the Malaysian GP.

The final flyaway saw a dry but humid Sepang International Circuit fire up for 20 laps with Crutchlow launching from 15th on the grid. Gaining positions in the opening action, he was dropped to 16th on lap six with work to do once again. The Brit ultimately overcoming Miguel Oliveira and narrowly adrift of the top ten by the close of play.

“I was pleased to finish the race actually, it’s a difficult race to finish because of the tyre situation and managing the race,” Crutchlow explained. “I didn’t have a great pace in the race, we had a small problem.

“I had an amazing start, probably the best start I had on any Yamaha all year, but then I went into turn two and nearly crashed, like in the qualifying yesterday where I lost the rear.

“I lost some positions but I was quite comfortable, I was pushed out at one point where I went back four positions. In the last three laps, I managed to pass both Maverick Viñales and Miguel Oliveira and got some good points for the team. In the end, we can go away happy as a team, I did my job and now we’re on to Valencia.”