COVENTRY’s Cal Crutchlow will swap being a spectator to a competitor this weekend when he returns from a week away at the Isle of Man TT and returns to MotoGP action in Assen this weekend.
The 30-year-old has been enjoying some time on the Isle of Man, where he currently lives, to take in the fast-paced time trial but now his attentions move back to his own career as he prepares to take part in the Dutch Time Trial, the oldest and most revered venue on the MotoGP World Championship calendar.
In a break from a long-standing tradition however, the TT race takes place on a Sunday for the very first time, in an effort to give modern fans the full weekend experience.
The LCR Honda team head to the Netherlands on a positive note, after Crutchlow secured the best finish of his season so far at the last round in Catalonia, followed up by setting the fastest time of the post-race testing session.
Coventry-born Crutchlow also enjoys racing at Assen, having taken pole position and a podium finish at the ‘Cathedral’ just three years ago.
And hopes are high for another step forward on what is a special weekend for all concerned, as it marks the celebration of 250 races of collaboration between LCR Honda and GIVI.
“I’ve spent some time back on the Isle of Man over the last couple of weeks, watching a bit of racing at the TT, which is one of my favourite events of the year,” said Crutchlow.
“However, obviously now I’m looking forward to Holland, because we had a more positive weekend in Barcelona and I think Assen is a circuit where the Honda will work quite well.
“We are keen to get to work on the base setting of the bike in the first free practices and get ready for the weekend.”
“We always get a great crowd at Assen, and I really enjoy seeing and meeting everyone there. Hopefully there will be even more fans now the race is on a Sunday, and we can have a good weekend on the LCR Honda with GIVI.”