A CRASH three laps from the end ended any hopes of a points finish for Coventry’s Cal Crutchlow at the sixth round of the MotoGP World Championships in Italy.
The 29-year-old had qualified for Sunday’s Italian Grand Prix at Mugello in fourth position despite picking up a hand injury following a nasty fall in warm-up.
Crutchlow showed bags of bravery and looked poised for a high finish in fifth but having battled front end problems throughout the entire races, the CWM LCR Honda rider went over at the fast turn eight three laps from the end.
“It’s very disappointing for the whole CWM LCR Honda team,” said Crutchlow, who dislocated his ankle during the fall.
“We had what I thought was a good weekend up until the race. On Sunday morning I had a very heavy crash in the warm-up and had a big impact on my hand, so I thought it was a good showing to be racing in the position that I was.
“We had the 38 front tyre which meant steering the bike was not easy, but overall we were not so far off the factory guys and with the right setting I think we could have been higher.
“Unfortunately the front tyre failed me in the end and just tucked under at a very fast corner.
“My foot got caught in the back of the bike and dislocated my ankle so I’m in a lot of pain and we’ll have to monitor the situation but I’ve had good treatment.
“Obviously I’m really disappointed because it was a good race and a good showing and Honda are working very hard for us to improve so we need to come back stronger in Barcelona hopefully.”