It was a positive start to the weekend for Cal Crutchlow and his LCR Honda Team as MotoGP returned to action at Austria’s Red Bull Ring for the first time since 1997. The British rider set the fifth fastest lap on the first day of practice, despite low track temperatures. With the track surface at just 14°C in the morning session, and not too much better in the afternoon, it was not a day for risk-taking, and Crutchlow instead focused his efforts on getting the best set-up for his Honda RC213V ahead of Saturday’s qualifying. He ended the day as the top Honda rider in the field after posting a best time of 1’24.688, and is upbeat about his chances of securing a good grid spot for Sunday’s race.

Cal Crutchlow:
“Honestly speaking we are pleased with today, the conditions were difficult for all the riders today with it being so cold and how that affected the tyres. It’s a tough first day after the summer break, but this is what we do, it’s our job and we need to give the best feedback we can. I don’t think it means too much to be top Honda at the moment. I’m not sure Marc (Marquez) is pushing to the limit just yet, and Dani (Pedrosa) is still to get to grips with it a little. We know we can be competitive, it’s just we are struggling a bit with the speed of the bike, and actually we are picking up time everywhere else on the other manufacturers.”

Result FP2:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Source: motogp.com, lcr.mc