Crutchlow humbled by history books, but 'I go from race to race'

Cal Crutchlow finally ended the UK's 35-year wait for a premier-class victory, when he took his debut MotoGP win at Brno in 2016 (pictured).

It was the first time a British rider had stood on the top step of the 500cc/MotoGP rostrum since Barry Sheene in 1981.

That success, plus two further victories, means the Englishman's name joins not only Sheene but other British stars of the past such as Phil Read, Mike Hailwood, Geoff Duke and John Surtees on the premier-class race winners list.

While 'humbling' to be talked about in the same context as such legends of the sport, Crutchlow is quick to point out that they won multiple world championships and revealed he doesn't look beyond each race weekend.

"To finally be the guy that got the win after 35 years was a great achievement," Crutchlow said. "It was something that will go down in the history books. Barry Sheene won 35 years before, I was number 35 and it took 35 years to get it.

"Now, it is quite a humbling thing to be talked about in the same context of these greats, but they did a lot more in their careers than I did.

"I’ve enjoyed myself and I’ve had a great career, as well, but they were winning championships and things like that. It’s great to be able to look back at what they did.

"Myself, statistics-wise, I never look at them. I go from race to race and try to do the best that I can at that race."

Crutchlow's three wins have all been with the satellite LCR team, also making him the most successful Independent rider on the grid.

Although the 34-year-old admitted to retirement thoughts during last year, he now has his sights set on remaining in MotoGP until at least the end of next season.

"Even at the end of last year I said I could continue in 2021 and I feel like I’m in a good position to do," he told the Monster Energy website.

"[I'm] motivated and the want to continue is there, so I don’t think this break has changed anything in that aspect because we’re already talking to Honda about renewing even before we went racing this year.

"We’ll see how it turns out this year."

Currently seeing out the coronavirus pandemic in San Diego, California, Crutchlow - like the rest of the MotoGP grid - is awaiting concrete news on when the racing season will start.

"We just have to take it as it comes. I think there are more important things in the world at the moment than worrying about motorcycle racing," he said.

Dorna is currently aiming to start the season at Jerez in late July, holding around ten races (perhaps two per circuit) in Europe before adding on any possible flyaways.

But most if not all will be 'closed door' events, with no fans allowed.

"I do think we’ll get some racing in towards the end of the season," Crutchlow said. "And I hope we can get to racing that the fans can see, as well, but we have to make sure that it is safe to do so.

"If we have 200,000 people come out to an event, everyone needs to be safe before we think about opening up the doors. We race and we’re in the entertainment business.

"We’re in the entertainment business and there is nothing we like more than to race and to entertain the crowd at the circuits. Hopefully, we can get the racing underway, and once we do, the fans can come as well."

Whenever and wherever a first race is announced, Crutchlow will be 'ready to go'.

"My ankle feels good. I feel good. I feel trained enough. I feel healthy enough and ready to go when they say go," he said. "But on the other hand, we know that we’re not racing for a couple of months.

"You have to maintain your health and enjoy yourself a little bit, as well, in this period. Parts of it have been great. Willow [daughter] loves ice cream and I love ice cream! But I’ll be ready to go when they say go, no doubt."

And what about the latest Honda, which had cornering difficulties for most of pre-season testing before a late breakthrough when reverting to old aerodynamic parts in Qatar?

"Well, I think Honda made a step in regards to the engine and the electronics," Crutchlow said.

"We had a little issue with the turning of the bike and in Qatar we finally found something that was maybe making the turning a little bit worse than last year, but that’s what it’s about: doing laps around the track every chance and giving information to Honda and the engineers there, who are very, very clever and work very, very hard for us.

"Yes, I’m ready to go."