Cal Crutchlow says that he was overjoyed to secure a podium finish in the Australian grand prix at Phillip Island after his near career-ending incident at the venue last year.
Crutchlow destroyed his right ankle in a high-speed crash at Turn 1 at Phillip Island in practice for last year’s event, ruling him out for the rest of the season and even putting a doubt on a return to racing altogether.
Following extensive surgery and recuperation he was able to return to the LCR Honda squad for a ’19 campaign, and despite a mixed season looked strong this time round at the Australian circuit.
Having qualified fifth the Brit snatched the lead from Valentino Rossi early on and led for six laps before being relegated to third by both Maverick Vinales and Marc Marquez.
He was unable to keep pace with the leading duo from that point onwards, but pulled away from the battling group behind to ultimately cross the line second after Vinales crashed on the final lap.
Crutchlow said after the race that he was pleased ‘to prove a point to myself’ with his strong performance at a circuit that nearly ended his career.
“It’s great to be back. After what happened here last year I wanted to prove a point to myself, so to be leading the race was great,” said Crutchlow.
“I knew my pace wasn’t fantastic at that point but it was because I was trying to save the rear tyre as I chose the hard rear tyre which was probably the wrong choice, I thought it would come good at the end so I was trying to save it and then it completely went at the end.
“These guys (Marquez and Vinales) had a much better pace so I let them go because I had a massive gap behind me and knew I could manage until the end of the race, I was happy with the podium.
“I know I got lucky at the end with Maverick (Vinales) crashing, I was sorry to see him crash because he rode a fantastic race and I could see he was leading most of it.
“We need to find a bit more pace to be there (for the win) but I never had a great bike setting this weekend, the team did a great job but I didn’t feel very comfortable on the bike, but I’m over the moon with the result.”
The three-time MotoGP winner currently sits ninth in the overall riders championship with two races remaining, having scored two third places in Qatar and Germany aside from his runners-up result this weekend.
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