MotoGP: Crutchlow a danger man according to Viñales

Cal Crutchlow is a danger man for the 2017 MotoGP season according to Maverick Viñales, who says people are forgetting the potential of last season’s double race winner despite another strong performance today at Phillip Island.

Crutchlow finished the day third overall, only 0.016 behind fellow Honda rider Marc Marquez – and fastest man Viñales says he can’t be discounted.

“The Honda is really constant, especially with Marc – and I know that in Qatar he can do that consistency in the race while we’re struggling. The other Honda riders aren’t so constant, but Cal is really fast – he’s doing much better than last year and he is dangerous, very dangerous! He is very fast!”

TOP STORIES

• MotoGP: Marquez leads Rossi on first day at Phillip Island
• Cal Crutchlow wins MCN Man of the Year
• Bike of the day: 1961 Velocette Venom
• New KTM 790 is scalpel-sharp
• Gallery: Carole Nash MCN London show sets up

Crutchlow was more circumspect, however, pleased with his day’s work but warning that there was still much to do ahead of the first race in Qatar next month.

“Today was a more productive day for the LCR Honda Team. Yesterday there were a few teething problems perhaps, but today we seemed to be able to keep a good pace throughout. We are happy with the pace because it is consistent. We tried lots of different things with the bike, some of which were good and some not so much. We need to work on those areas still, but I think that the Honda in general seems to be improving, and that’s good for us.

“We need to continue to give the factory the right information to improve, but I didn’t even go out to set one ‘fast’ lap time today, but if we had I reckon we could have been very competitive. That’s something we can do another day however, because in the meantime I’m happy enough with our consistency. The tyre consistency was good and the bike is generally working well too, and even if the feeling isn’t perfect just yet, the speed is there, so that’s positive.”

Looking for the perfect two-wheeled companion? Visit MCN Bikes For Sale website or use MCN’s Bikes For Sale App.