Cal Crutchlow satisfied despite technical problems: “The pace was there”

Cal Crutchlow also stepped in for the injured Johann Zarco at the Dutch Grand Prix. The LCR Honda stand-in rider started from 21st on the grid and made up several places on the very first lap. After Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi crashed, the Briton was in 16th place. However, a technical problem slowed him down significantly. Following a pit stop, Crutchlow dropped to the back of the field and eventually crossed the finish line in 16th place, a lap down.

“I had a technical problem right from the first lap,” Crutchlow explained after the race. “I tried to ride around the problem and get a better understanding of the situation. But then it became dangerous because I had other riders behind me. That’s why I came into the pits and we were able to sort the problem out in the pit lane.”

However, the relief didn’t last long. “After that, the problem cropped up again. I managed to sort it out myself and finished the race with the problem.” Despite the difficulties, Crutchlow was satisfied with his performance. “I was happy, and so was the team. I was able to set a fast pace despite the problems. But I’m also disappointed because I would have beaten Augusto (Fernandez) – there’s no doubt about that. Maybe I could even have kept up with the other riders. It was a bit chaotic here and there.”

Technical problems cost him World Championship points

The multiple MotoGP winner has no doubt that a much better result would have been possible without the fault. “To be honest, I’m convinced I could have kept up with the riders in front of me for a while. I was riding on the soft rear tyre.” After the pit stop, however, his approach changed completely. “I rode the whole race on my own and didn’t take any risks. A crash was the last thing I wanted, because I’d already been in the pits. So there was no reason to push – there was nothing at stake for me.”

Topic of the week

Spanish Grand Prix at the new Madring: track – hit or miss?

The people of Madrid had set their sights high for their city’s first Formula 1 World Championship race since 1981. But have the high expectations for the new Madring mixed-circuit track really been met?

Read More

TV Program

Tomorrow

Red Bull Ring: International Livestream

MotoGP World Championship

19.09.2026 - 08:35

Instead of focusing on a result, Crutchlow concentrated on clocking up as many kilometres as possible. “I simply completed a race distance. That was the only reason I carried on with the race. Unfortunately, there was that minor technical issue. But that’s part and parcel of racing.”

The Briton, who was standing in for LCR Honda for the fourth time, also sees room for improvement in his riding. “I’m happy with my performance. But I lose so much time in corners 6, 7, 14 and 15. That was the case in the race too. I never took any risks there. Those are two fast sections where I didn’t want to take any risks. The rest is okay. Now it’s on to the next race.”

Willkommen zum Rennen in Assen

Foto: Gold & Goose

Marc Márquez und Pecco Bagnaia

Foto: Gold & Goose

Luca Marini

Foto: Gold & Goose

Raul Fernandez

Foto: Gold & Goose

Fabio Quartararo

Foto: Gold & Goose

Start des Rennens

Foto: Gold & Goose

Jorge Martin

Foto: Gold & Goose

Marc Márquez und Fabio Di Giannantonio

Foto: Gold & Goose

Brad Binder

Foto: Gold & Goose

Pedro Acosta

Foto: Gold & Goose

Enea Bastianini

Foto: Gold & Goose

Raul Fernandez und Ai Ogura

Foto: Gold & Goose

Alex Márquez

Foto: Gold & Goose

Miller und Morbidelli

Foto: Gold & Goose

Ai Ogura gewinnt das Rennen

Foto: Gold & Goose

Sieger Ai Ogura

Foto: Gold & Goose

Raul Fernandez, Ai Ogura und Team

Foto: Gold & Goose

Raul Fernandez, Ai Ogura, Jorge Martin

Foto: Gold & Goose

Assen-Sieger Ai Ogura

Foto: Gold & Goose

Willkommen zum Rennen in Assen

© Gold & Goose