Crutchlow undone by power loss in "horrendous" start
LCR Honda MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow says his Malaysian Grand Prix was compromised by power loss that led to a "horrendous" start and left him mired in the pack.
Crutchlow had qualified fifth at Sepang, but was muscled down the order on the opening lap and was running only 12th when he crashed out with a quarter of the race distance left to run.
"Evidently the whole thing started when I got a horrendous start," Crutchlow explained after the race. "When I shifted gears I had no power.
"Last week I got an absolutely rocket start in Phillip Island, and it seems the power today was the same. I got the best jump of the line we could've asked for and as soon as I shifted to second, it was just not going anywhere.
"I had five or six bikes go past me there, and at Turn 1 I got pushed wide and three more passed me.
"I think with a better start we could've been further up - I just got beat up on the first lap and that was it. After my bad start I got beat up."
Crutchlow made it clear that he was not comfortable with the bike afterwards, as he suspected "our setting was for a grippier track" than what the conditions were on Sunday.
But while he "had no grip at all" and struggled to get the bike stopped or accelerating out of the corners, he believed a decent result would've still been there for the taking if not for the start.
"I didn't feel great - but even not feeling great, I think if I would've got a [good] start, I could've been in a lot better position," he said.
"I did what I had to be able to start with the front group today, and I didn't get the start into Turn 1. You need to start with those guys and be able to go with them. I was already too far back to be able to challenge."
Crutchlow said his crash, which came at the circuit's sweeping final corner, happened because he couldn't get his Honda to slow down in the braking zone, and was "exactly the same" as his fall in the San Marino Grand Prix at Misano.
"Last time I crashed the bike was in Misano in the race - I didn't crash in Aragon, in Motegi, Phillip Island, in any practice or anything.
"So today was actually a little bit of a shock to crash, because I didn't think I was going to crash, I thought I was going to see the flag at least.
"We're disappointed but we have to take note that I've had a sixth, fifth and a second in the last races, I felt good in them races, we have to go to Valencia more positive than what the outcome was today."
Additional reporting by Andrew van Leeuwen
Previous article
"Total disaster" first lap set up Quartararo struggle
Next article
Rossi "lost the podium" in Malaysia at Turn 1
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Event | Malaysian GP |
| Sub-event | Race |
| Drivers | Cal Crutchlow |
| Teams | Team LCR |
| Author | Valentin Khorounzhiy |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
