In what may the worst post-race interview of the century, LCR Honda’s Cal Crutchlow soiled a magnificent third place finish with a barb at critics, and possibly former employers.
After what was a terrific race, in which the Englishman displayed the hard charging, never-say-die attitude that has made him famous, Crutchlow spouted off a nasty line towards the end of his interview from the podium.
“I want to thank the people who wrote me off” he said with a grimace, after thanking his team and describing the race.
Over the past three years Crutchlow has changed teams three times, not always leaving under the happiest of circumstances. The 29 year old left Tech 3 Yamaha at the end of 2013, after his most successful season in MotoGP with 4 podiums, but acrimony between him and former Tech 3 teamate Andrea Dovizioso swelled when he too joined Ducati for 2014, and performed considerably better. He switched from Ducati to privateer LCR Honda after one year later.
MotoGP is a small community, and sponsors generally don’t like unfriendly or bitter sounding brand ambassadors. Given the depth of the talent in the current rider pool, Crutchlow would do well to consider this if he has any plans to race for factory teams in the future.
[…] is a good read and offers some insight into a man with a complicated relationship with media and his sport in general. You can find the complete interview […]
I shan’t quote him.
If anyone here requires the exact words
of Graham Hill, after the aeroplane crash,
then they best not be posting. 😉
What did Crutchlow say about sponsors, specifically?
Um, no. Fogarty was fork tongued about other riders, but not sponsors. In fact he was quite the sycophant, always saying how brilliant the Ducati/Pertronas/MV were, until he was out. He was no gentleman, but he definitely knew which side his bread was buttered on… which is why he stayed on the Ducati payroll for years after he quit racing.
I agree with Blackie on this one. I had a good laugh when he said that and respect anyone who is willing to speak their mind in the face of so much sponsor pressure. It may not be the wisest thing to do, but I appreciate his candor.
On the other hand, it never hurt Fogarty. I respect Crutchlow for saying what’s on his mind. Sponsors will tolerate anything as long as he gets results, which seem to be coming his way now.