Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team rider Cal Crutchlow gave himself an early birthday present taking third place on the podium in the AirAsia Australian Grand Prix.
Brit rider who turns 27 on Monday kicked off the celebrations early after a faultless ride to finish in third position ahead of a record crowd of 53,100 fans packed into the spectacular Phillip Island track.
After Dani Pedrosa's early crash out of the lead on the second lap, Crutchlow brilliantly kept Monster Yamaha Tech 3 teammate Andrea Dovizioso, Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl at bay in an exciting early battle for third place.
Eight laps had been completed when Crutchlow commenced a devastating attack that saw him comfortably streak away from the chasing trio. At the end of lap eight he pulled a 1.050s advantage over Dovizioso, but just four laps later his red-hot pace had seen him establish a gap of more than 3.5s.
Crutchlow was still feeling below 100% after being struck down by a nasty bout of bronchitis earlier in the weekend, but he was able to maintain a fast and consistent pace in sunny but cool conditions to bring his YZR-M1 machine in a richly deserved third position.
It was Crutchlow's second rostrum finish off a fantastic second season in MotoGP and today's result means he still has an o utside chance of claiming a top five finish in the overall World Championship standings with one round remaining.
With Crutchlow riding off into the distance in third, it was left to Dovizioso to provide the most entertaining battle of the 27-lap race. His pulsating fight with Bautista and Bradl went right down to the wire, with Dovizioso starting the final lap at the tail of the group in sixth.
The Italian's race craft and experience came to the fore though and in the decisive final moments he was able to pass both Bradl and Bautista to finish fourth. It was the 15th time in 17 races that Dovizioso has finished inside the top five and he heads to the final round in Valencia optimistic that he can end the season with a strong finish.
Cal Crutchlow 3rd – 151 points:
“I am really happy with this result because it is a great way to finish this period of three races in a row. After the disappointment of running out of fuel while battling for the podium on the last lap in Japan and then crashing in Sepang, I really needed a positive result here and that's what we've got. Considering how ill I've felt with the fever and bronchitis, to be back on the podium is a fantastic feeling and we definitely deserved it. The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team gave me a great bike all weekend and I was very confident and calm when in front of Andrea, Bautista and Bradl. I knew I could go faster and pull away and once I opened up a comfortable gap, I just stayed relaxed and consistent because I wasn't going to catch Jorge. Another podium is a great result and we've backed up the third in Brno. It's great too because it is my birthday tomorrow and this is a good way to kick off the celebrations. It was a big thrill to be on the podium here with Casey winning. The fans gave him a great reception and I'm glad I could be part of it. I want to say big congratulations to Yamaha and Jorge too for winning the World Championship. They have done an amazing job and they both deserve this success.”
Andrea Dovizioso 4th – 208 points:
“I knew that it was going to be a tough race because I didn't had the same pace as Cal. All I could do was to try during the first laps to get in front of him or to put him under pressure but it was not possible. He was riding very well so I decided the best strategy was not to take too many risks. The battle with Bradl and Bautista was really exciting and I had a lot of fun. I'm sure the fans appreciated it as well because we were pushing and changing places for the whole race. I am satisfied to fi nish in front of the group and it was a strong battle right to the chequered flag. My next race in Valencia is the last for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team, so I go there with high motivation and determination to get a strong result to end our successful relationship in a positive way.”
Herve Poncharal – Team Manager:
“That was an incredible afternoon because Cal finished on the podium, the local hero won in front of a record crowd and Jorge and Yamaha clinched the World Championship. The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team did a really good job. They both made a really strong start and it was impressive to see Cal pull away from the group with Andrea, Bautista and Bradl. His pace was very close to Jorge and after the disappointment of Japan and Malaysia this was a great way to bounce back. Cal was very consistent for the whole race and he never made any mistakes. He maintained his concentration and I think he deserved this result because he kept on pushing all weekend when he was far from his physical best because of the illness. Andrea also had a strong race and it was definitely an epic fight with Bautista and Bradl. The crowd certainly got entertained but Andrea was very smart on the final lap. He showed his experience, cleverness and coolness to pass both of them and fourth place is another incredibly strong result. Today's stunning race ensured we have secured third position in the Team World Championship and this is an outstanding achievement for a non-factory team. It highlights the incredible job Cal and Andrea have done as well as the great support we get from Yamaha. I also want to congratulate Yamaha and Jorge for the World Championship. Together they really did a fantastic job during the season and I'm delighted to see them win the first 1000cc title.”
Results
1. Casey Stoner (AUS) Repsol Honda Team 41'01.324
2. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Yamaha Factory Racing + 9.223
3. Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Yamaha Tech3 + 14.570
4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Yamaha Tech3 + 23.303
5. Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Honda Gresini + 23.432
6. Stefan Bradl (GER) LCR Honda + 23.467
7. Valentino Rossi (ITA) Ducati Team + 37.113
8. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Team + 38.387
9. Karel Abraham (CZE) Cardion AB Motoracing + 52.613
10. Aleix Espargaro (SPA) Power Electronics Aspar + 1'00.299
11. Randy De Puniet (FRA) Power Electronics Aspar + 1'00.342
12. Hector Barbera (SPA) Pramac Racing Team + 1'21.951
13. Danilo Petrucci (ITA) Came Iodaracing Project + 1'27.857
14. Michele Pirro (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini After 1 laps
15. Ivan Silva (SPA) Avintia Racing After 1 laps
16. James Ellison (UK) Paul Bird Motorsport Not classified (22 laps)
17. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team Not classified (26 laps)
18. Roberto Rolfo (ITA) Speed Master Not classified (9 laps)
19. Colin Edwards (USA) NGM Mobile Forward Racing Not classified (21 laps)
Championship Standings
1 Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Yamaha Factory Racing 350
2 Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team 307
3 Casey Stoner (AUS) Repsol Honda Team 238
4 Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Yamaha Tech3 208
5 Alvaro Bautista (SPA) Honda Gresini 165
6 Valentino Rossi (ITA) Ducati Team 157
7 Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Yamaha Tech3 151
8 Stefan Bradl (GER) LCR Honda 135
9 Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Team 122
10 Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha Factory Racing 88
11 Hector Barbera (SPA) Pramac Racing Team 83
12 Aleix Espargaro (SPA) Power Electronics Aspar 69
13 Randy De Puniet (FRA) Power Electronics Aspar 58
14 Karel Abraham (CZE) Cardion AB Motoracing 50
15 Michele Pirro (ITA) San Carlo Honda Gresini 32
16 James Ellison (UK) Paul Bird Motorsport 28
17 Yonny Hernandez (COL) Avintia Racing 28
18 Colin Edwards (USA) NGM Mobile Forward Racing 25
19 Danilo Petrucci (ITA) Came Iodaracing Project 19
20 Mattia Pasini (ITA) Speed Master 13
21 Ivan Silva (SPA) Avintia Racing 12
22 Toni Elias (SPA) Pramac Racing Team 10
23 Katsuyuki Nakasuga (JPN) Yamaha YSP Racing Team 7
24 Steve Rapp (USA) Attack Performance 2
25 David Salom (SPA) Avintia Blusens 1
