It’s been an emotional month for Cal Crutchlow. After a difficult, crash-strewn start to the season, things finally seem to be coming good for the Isle of Man-based rider.
After becoming a father for the first time on August 2nd, today he became the first British premier class race winner since Barry Sheene at Anderstorp in Sweden in 1981.
The weekend wasn’t without difficulty. Crutchlow crashed at the end of FP4 on Saturday destroying his bike as it launched over the catch fencing. After his mechanics worked until midnight to rebuild it, he repaid their hard work with a victory.
In the changing conditions and a tricky first few laps, the race turned to Crutchlow’s favour as tyres came into play. Consistently setting 2.08s at the midway point, he was able to close the gap on the leaders.
He hit the front with six laps to go, and with his hard tyres holding up better on the slowly drying track, he pulled out a winning margin of seven seconds.
Crutchlow said: “The biggest emotion I ever had was three weeks ago when Willow was born – having said that it’s the best day of my racing career.
“But I’m really really pleased for my team. We worked hard for this and I took the gamble. Not many other people did and as far as I’m concerned they’re all wimps! I don’t know why if you choose one harder option you don’t choose the other.
“But anyway, we did the best job today and I’m so pleased for the team. I smashed a bike yesterday and they didn’t leave the circuit last night until midnight – so this was a good way to repay them today.
“I almost crashed at Turn 10 when I changed into sixth instead of fifth, but once I knew Valentino wasn’t coming – no one was coming for me – I just rode around and didn’t take risks.
“Don’t get me wrong – winning the race is incredible but I had the best present a couple of weeks ago.”
Crutchlow’s victory – along with John McPhee’s win in Moto3 and Sam Lowes’ podium finish in Moto2 – perfectly sets up the next round at their home race at Silverstone on September 4th.
