Crutchlow Rues Front Tyre Choice, But Still Finishes Seventh
- Jul 13, 2015
- 2 min read
Cal Crutchlow's decision to run the asymmetric front tyre in Sunday's German Grand Prix is one the Briton regrets. Whereas the factory Honda riders ran the hard front tyre, a decision that paid off massively, the CWM LCR Honda rider wishes he'd done the same as he claims that it would have seen him faster over the course of a lap. Cal also encountered rear tyre problems which gave him a big vibration throughout the 30-lap race.
The asymmetric front tyre was brought to the Sachsenring because the circuit's layout puts a lot of stress on the left shoulder of the tyre whilst rapid right shoulder warm up is required as the final right turn is the massively fast turn eleven. The hard tyre is good for braking stability, but it also makes the bike heavier to turn in as the edge grip isn't great. Given the emphasis on cornering performance at the Sachsenring, and the potential for track temperatures to lower meant that the choice to run it was a massive gamble and one that would be magnified by a Honda rider given the RC213V's cornering performance this year.
Crutchlow finished the race 7th but once again as second-best Satellite rider behind rival Bradley Smith.
“Today's race result is not the best, but I am happy to finish and get some points before the summer break. We had some problems in the race; I chose the wrong front tyre as we should have gone with the same one as Dani (Pedrosa) and Marc (Marquez). I think it would have gained us quite a few seconds over the race in certain places. I also had problems with the rear tyre which gave off vibrations throughout the race, so obviously to finish was not a bad job, especially as I still had some pain in my elbow and arm from yesterday's crash.”
“We need to go into the summer break and improve for Indianapolis and from then on. I think the first half of the season has been only average and I believe we can do much better.”
Crutchlow's opening nine races have yielded just 66 points and one podium, so far not justifying the switch from Ducati to Honda. But the RC213V has been a massive issue for all who have ridden it, including the reigning world champion! So the British rider's full potential is yet to be seen.
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