MotoGP: Crutchlow hits out at race control error

LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow has hit out at MotoGP race control following Sunday’s San Marino Grand Prix, after becoming embroiled in a row following his eighth place not only with them but also with rival Pol Espargaró, after he was initially demoted one place for exceeding track limits.

Crutchlow crossed the line in eighth, but was moved back after race control realised that he had cut the first corner not once but five times during the course of the race.

And although Crutchlow put his hands up after the race and admitted that he had made the move, he insisted that not only was it not deliberate but also that he had gained no advantage from it.

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“I ran across turn one five times, because there was sweat on the inside of my visor and from lap eight onwards I couldn’t see a thing! I normally have a sweat pad, but it wasn’t in the right position and was dripping everywhere!

“Of the five times, on three of those I gained two tenths – but then gave it back in the next sector every time. It was absolutely ridiculous – the worst decision they could have made. I completely agree I went off the track, but what could I do?”

However, speaking to MCN after the decision to revert him to best independent bike, race director Mike Webb held his hands up and admitted the error.

“Timekeeping pointed out to us after the race when they’d had a chance to do a full analysis that in fact any advantage Cal had gained, he’d lost again in the next sector.

“What took so long was me making sure that Cal hadn’t made a mistake or had a bad sector, so I looked at the data for deliberate intent of him slowing. Timekeeping put the data from the bike with the timing, and it showed that he lost time because the rider had shut the throttle on the straight.”

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