MotoGP: Crutchlow insists Miller should have got Repsol ride

Cal Crutchlow has insisted that close friend Jack Miller should have got the chance to step up from the Marc VDS team to the Repsol Honda squad this weekend to replace the injured Dani Pedrosa for the Australian’s home race.

Instead, 2006 world champion Nicky Hayden will get the chance to reunite with his title-winning squad – but with Miller finding good form at times this season, Crutchlow says he – and not the Brit, as some have called for – should have got the chance.

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“I ride for LCR; it’s as simple as that. I help the factory team out, do some testing for them, and give them some data, but I’m also a Monster Energy athlete and they have a different energy drink sponsor.

“But I thought the natural call would have been to Jack, to give him the chance to ride his home race on a Repsol bike. That’s just my opinion, and obviously it’s not down to me, but it’s good to see Nicky back too, because it’s going to be an entertaining weekend. There’s a few Hondas that will be able to challenge at the front, and it would be good if he could join the party!”

And coming off a run of good form that saw him take another top five position last time out at Motegi, the Czech Grand Prix winner says he’s looking forward to racing at one of his favourite tracks this weekend.

 “I wouldn’t say I was in fantastic form, but I think the whole LCR Honda Team are happy enough with how things are going. I make a stupid mistake in Motegi which possibly took me out of contention for the podium. I was disappointed with that because I felt we had a strong plan for the end of the race with the hard front tyre.

“We’ll see what this weekend brings. I’m looking forward to racing at Phillip Island as always, it’s been a kind track to me over the years except for the last lap in 2014. The rest has been quite good and I’ve enjoyed racing here over the years so hopefully we can have another good one this weekend.”

 

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