Michelin saw its hard compound front and rear wet weather tyres put to flawless use today as Cal Crutchlow (LCR Honda) raced to his premiere MotoGP? victory in very changeable conditions at the HJC Helmets Grand Prix České Republiky in Brno.
Advertisement
Marquez, who holds a 43-point lead over second-placed Jorge Lorenzo, dislocated his shoulder during a practice session at the last round in Austria, but is clearly not feeling the effects of that injury. The move helped the Brit beat Rossi with a lead of over 7 seconds, while Marquez had to settle for the third place.
Cal Crutchlow on his way to his maiden MotoGP title, the first British rider to win since Barry Sheene in 1981. I’m really, really pleased for my team.
Talking about his choice of harder option front and rear tires, Crutchlow said.
“I am also a little bit disappointed because the top satellite position was the aim, especially after the pace that we had in warm-up and I knew that we had a good chance”.
“I wrecked the bike in free practice and the team didn’t leave the track will midnight as they worked on it, so this win is a thanks to them”.
“I found the ideal lap”, he said.
Joining Crutchlow on the front row were Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Valentino Rossi, who claimed his first-ever GP win at Brno (1996, 125cc, Aprilia) and Marquez, respectively.
“I pushed maybe to much, I braked too late, so I didn’t have enough corner speed to be faster”, said the 29-year-old Lorenzo, who will move to Ducati after the season.
Marc Marquez dominated the race in a typical fashion by taking the lead early on.
Lorenzo and Yamaha team-mate Valentino Rossi opted for the hard rear tyre, and while they both lost ground early, Rossi was able to fight through to finish second. Championship leader Brad Binder (KTM) crashed out of the lead with four laps to go, before Khairul Idham Pawi (Honda) also ended up in the gravel in a dramatic change for the race in the final few laps.
Cal Crutchlow at the age of 30 achieves his very first MotoGP victory.
Advertisement
The Australian had hoped to make his return at Brno and even passed pre-race medical checks but his Estrella Galicia 0,0 Marc VDS and HRC have chosen to withdraw the Assen victor, ensuring he is fit to race at Silverstone in two weeks’ time.
