Successful test for Crutchlow in Jerez

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider Cal Crutchlow completed a successful one-day test session at the Circuito de Jerez track in Spain today.

After racing to a third successive top five finish this season in yesterday’s 27-lap race, Crutchlow was hard at work again today to post 67-laps while evaluating a new Yamaha YZR-M1 chassis.

Still feeling sore and bruised after two heavy crashes on Saturday, the British rider managed to get through a tremendous amount of testing work on behalf of Yamaha, which included experimenting with a different engine braking strategy and wheelbase modifications to improve front and rear grip.

The 27-year-old was able to set the second fastest time and his best of 1.38.916 was only 0.092s behind Marc Marquez, who led the timesheets at the end of the eight-hour session.

Cal Crutchlow 2nd 1.38.916 – 67 laps :  

“I’m happy to have got through so much work today and do almost 70 laps because my back is still quite sore from the two big crashes I had on Saturday. I tried a different frame today but honestly I couldn’t really find any improvement. There were some positive and negative points but overall it felt the same as what I’ve been racing so far. I tried a few engine braking settings for Yamaha and it was important for them to get some data and information in that area. We ran the bike with a lot of engine braking to see how the bike would react and make it slide on corner entry. I couldn’t really feel a big benefit going into the corner but it was a bit better braking straight up and down and it was a worthwhile exercise. It was a positive day and after a tough weekend with the crashes to finish fifth in the race and second in the test today shows again we are doing a good job.”