LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow produced a superb performance at the Dutch Grand Prix to claim fourth place after a thrilling finale at Assen. The Briton held his nerve after a disappointing start and fought his way back to ensure he was contesting the podium places by the time rain started to fall over the closing laps of the race.
Cal Crutchlow TT Assen 2017
Having started from eighth on the grid, Crutchlow got away slowly but found some incredible pace as the race headed to its climax. Having passed Ducati’s Andrea Dovizioso to take fourth spot on the penultimate lap, the LCR man then showed his class to move past Marc Marquez and into a podium position. However, the three-time world champion hit back at the second to last corner to retake third, leaving Crutchlow to settle for a fine fourth place after a memorable battle.
Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi claimed victory with fellow Italian Danilo Petrucci second on his Ducati.
Cal Crutchlow – 4th
“I’m pleased to finish and pleased to finish fourth. I was a little disappointed with my pace in the middle of the race, I had some sort of problem with my front tyre and I couldn’t push as hard as I wanted to. But I still thought we were on for a good result and kept battling.
“I got a bad start and that really hindered me, as well as not starting from the front rows. I think that really cost me the podium or even the chance to fight for the win because the pace was not drastically fast. After it started to rain I kept a cool head, but I made a mistake by showing Marc (Marquez) and (Andrea Dovizioso) Dovi my hand, I went too early and should have passed them on the last lap. As it was, Marc just followed me and passed me on the second to last corner and there was nothing I could do.
“But it was a great fight, I really enjoyed it and credit to the podium guys.”
