Cal Crutchlow grabs his third podium finish
Wed, 02 Jun 2010
COVENTRY’S Cal Crutchlow called on his World Superbike critics to judge him in the here and now after notching his third podium finish of the season at round seven in America.
While Crutchlow was on the way to winning the World Supersport crown in 2009 his Yamaha Sterilgarda predecessor American Ben Spies picked up a double race win at the Miller Motorsports Park.
Spies has since graduated to the MotoGP paddock while Crutchlow has been solid if at times unspectacular in the main superbike class.
His third place in race two in America bagged a 16-point haul but a disappointing 11th in race one sees him ninth in the overall standings – 150 points behind leader Max Biaggi.
But despite the Coventry ace seemingly struggling to cope at the top level on paper – Crutchlow insists he shouldn’t be judged against Spies but viewed in his own right.
“I think the first race should have been the same as the second, with me challenging at the front but we never had the pace of Carlos Checa or Max Biaggi,” said Crutchlow.
“In the second race you have to give credit to Leon Camier as well because he rode very well throughout.
“But I have to be happy with a podium finish in the second race because I think it was the best job that we could have had here. The Yamaha was very good here last year and Ben obviously rode very well but I think we have done ourselves justice here.”
Biaggi was the star of the show at round seven in Salt Lake City – taking his third race double of the season to overhaul former championship leader Leon Haslam at the top.
The Italian rider profited in both races from the misfortune of Carlos Checa who looked nailed on to take the chequered flag before bike problems saw him retire.
Crutchlow now enjoys a month-long mid-season break ahead of round eight and after tasting the champagne across the Atlantic he admits he will put his feet up a happy man.
“It is great to be on the podium and hopefully we can stay there now,” said Crutchlow.
* World Superbike Championship races will be broadcast on Eurosport, with the European rounds also available in High Definition. Eurosport Sky 410 & Virgin Media 521. Eurosport HD is on Sky 412 and Virgin Media 522.
Source: Coventry Evening Telegraph
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