MotoGP: Crutchlow ‘expected to win’ in Argentina

Cal Crutchlow says that he wasn’t surprised to take his third MotoGP win in yesterday’s Argentine Grand Prix, after going into Sunday’s race as one of the favourites off the back of a strong run of form throughout the weekend and at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit in the past.

Admitting that the chances of beating fellow Honda rider Marc Marquez would have been slim had the Spaniard not been handed a ride through penalty – but that he was confident throughout the weekend that he could have been on the podium.

But with Marquez out of the battle, Crutchlow was instead able to play it smart to strike in the final few laps of the race against Johann Zarco and take an impressive race victory.

“It was nice to win, but it was to be expected to be honest. I came into the weekend thinking I could leave here with a chance of being first or second with Marc and we ended up winning. I was comfortable in the battle, I felt I took no risks and stayed with riders that I probably could have dropped should I have needed to.

“We have to be pleased, the team has done a fantastic job in the last two races and I think we could have fought for victory no matter which circuit it would have been this weekend. Now we go to Austin and we’ll aim for the top five and look to come out of there with strong points. This year I said I wanted to win some races! It’s really nice to be part of that group of riders that have been able to win these 750 races for Honda. I’ve been supported very well by them in the last few years and this year the support is even better.”