Crutchlow battles hard in muggy Malaysia

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider Cal Crutchlow battled hard in baking hot conditions to claim sixth in front of a record crowd of over 84,000 fans packed into the Sepang International Circuit.

Temperatures still hit over 30 degrees, despite heavy cloud cover and a strong wind blowing around the vast Malaysian motorsport arena, when Crutchlow and Smith engaged in an early battle at the start of the physically challenging 20-lap encounter.

A brilliant start from rookie Smith moved him ahead of his compatriot on the opening lap before Crutchlow moved back into the top six.

From that early juncture, former World Supersport Champion Crutchlow was caught in a long and tough battle with Spaniard Alvaro Bautista, which went right down to the chequered flag.

Crutchlow and Bautista exchanged several overtakes in an exciting battle but the 27-year-old missed out on his first top five finish since the Indianapolis round in August by just 0.152s.

Today’s result though consolidated Crutchlow’s position as the leading non-factory rider in the World Championship rankings on 166-points, which keeps him 30 points clear of Bautista with just three races remaining.

The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team has little time to catch its breath now, with the squad heading off to Australia for the second of a gruelling flyaway triple-header that concludes in Japan on October 27.

Cal Crutchlow 6th – 166 points:

“It was a difficult race and I am very pleased to be in the top six, though it would have been better to have won that fight with Alvaro. That’s about my level at the moment and we knew this is not an easy track for Yamaha. I lost quite a bit of time fighting with Alvaro because I was looking to push on and maybe chase Valentino. But at the start I couldn’t stop the bike with the soft front tyre and I had a few moments. And I was also struggling with a lack of rear grip and that made it quite a difficult race. It was a good battle with Alvaro and it was a pity he just beat me but at the of end of the day he is on a package very close to the one that won the race today. I’m still satisfied with sixth but I am not so happy with the gap to Dani at the front. I am confident though we will be stronger at Phillip Island.”

Herve Poncharal – Team Manager:

“It was a very tough race but we expected it to be like that in these conditions where it is always so hot and humid. Cal lost a few places off the start but fought back quickly and he then had a really strong fight with Alvaro for most of the race and it was a shame that he lost out right at the end. But it was good to see him back on the front row of the grid and it was a solid race. He has been in quite a lot of pain and discomfort with his right arm and I am grateful that he pushed at 100% right from the start and as usual showed his fighting spirit.”