Looks like Cal is a cert to be on a Tech 3 Yam next year then. He pretty much confirmed it during the Quali's today when chatting to Toby and Julian on Eurosport. Be good to see a Brit back in Moto GP. Not sure how well he will do though, just have to wait and see.
Cal Crutchlow
- Thread starter projectmorf
- Start date
The sooner he gets it out of his head that he is not Ben Spies the better he will do. He just needs to understand how to race as cal crutchlow, not anyone else. I really have no way to back up what I am about to say other then 'it makes sense', but here it goes:
I feel that he believed/believes that he was every bit as good as Spies is, and that he got a raw deal by only being offered a supersport ride. Based on his interviews in Road Racer X magazine and the whole slew of online media, a certain disdain for Tom Sykes and also Eugene Laverty is quite apparent. Arrogant Almost. In his head he thinks he could have done exactly what Spies did if he was on the SBK team last year. So this year he set out to prove it. He got some poles which is partway there, but then he does nothing with it come raceday. After underachieving (based of his quali record), crashing, embarrassing himself, complaining about Biaggi spitting rocks into his radiator( don't want rocks being thrown at you from the bike infront? How about don;t let yourself get behind anyone), et al for about half the season he finally realized chasing shadows of Spies was not going to work. He came to peace with where he was at as a rider and instead of overriding his own abilities trying to emulate Spies, he focused on becoming a better cal crutchlow.
And wouldn't you know, he winds his first race is convincing style. I think the guy has talent, but lose the arrogance, be humble (the one thing he should steal from Spies now that it comes to mind), and he can do good things in GP. His riding style seems more adaptable then the average SBK rider, so that year in SS that probably ticked him off might end up helping him in the long run. A great fit for Tech 3.
By the way I am not a Spies D slurper, infact I have a grudge against him ever since he rudely blew by me and my parents at infineon raceway 2 years while he was piggybacking a scooter to his motorhome and we were headed to our car. Him and his buddy were spewing up tons of dirt in that gravel parking lot on a lot of us. He just got the win over Mladin that day, which is a fine reason to celebrate, but I detected a hidden arrogance and cockiness under all that PR humble shell which was evident in that childish scooter joy ride.
I feel that he believed/believes that he was every bit as good as Spies is, and that he got a raw deal by only being offered a supersport ride. Based on his interviews in Road Racer X magazine and the whole slew of online media, a certain disdain for Tom Sykes and also Eugene Laverty is quite apparent. Arrogant Almost. In his head he thinks he could have done exactly what Spies did if he was on the SBK team last year. So this year he set out to prove it. He got some poles which is partway there, but then he does nothing with it come raceday. After underachieving (based of his quali record), crashing, embarrassing himself, complaining about Biaggi spitting rocks into his radiator( don't want rocks being thrown at you from the bike infront? How about don;t let yourself get behind anyone), et al for about half the season he finally realized chasing shadows of Spies was not going to work. He came to peace with where he was at as a rider and instead of overriding his own abilities trying to emulate Spies, he focused on becoming a better cal crutchlow.
And wouldn't you know, he winds his first race is convincing style. I think the guy has talent, but lose the arrogance, be humble (the one thing he should steal from Spies now that it comes to mind), and he can do good things in GP. His riding style seems more adaptable then the average SBK rider, so that year in SS that probably ticked him off might end up helping him in the long run. A great fit for Tech 3.
By the way I am not a Spies D slurper, infact I have a grudge against him ever since he rudely blew by me and my parents at infineon raceway 2 years while he was piggybacking a scooter to his motorhome and we were headed to our car. Him and his buddy were spewing up tons of dirt in that gravel parking lot on a lot of us. He just got the win over Mladin that day, which is a fine reason to celebrate, but I detected a hidden arrogance and cockiness under all that PR humble shell which was evident in that childish scooter joy ride.
I totally agree. Cal has to go into Moto GP and try and make a name for "himself". And yes, Spies seems to have plenty of arrogance and cockiness. Your not the only one to have noticed that.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
I think Cal will be just like Toseland in GP without the WSBK titles on his resume....I just hope Tech 3 Yamaha does not become the WSBK champ graveyard. It is sad that they have had 3 riders carrying 5 titles and only a few podiums to show for it so far. I think Bayliss is th only WSBK champ to even get a 500cc/MotoGP win.....until Biaggi takes this years title (but it is going the reverse way with him--- GP to WSBK)
Joined Apr 2008
7K Posts | 3K+
Out of Nowhere
I tend to equate Tech Trois with the Nakano and O.J. 250 years when they were one of the most sorted teams in the paddock - but then they were a factory team at the time.
Shinya had some reasonable rides on the YZR500, but since the advent of the four stroke era I've tended to view them as a career cul-de-sac. I don't think the current M1's have been that far removed from the Factory counterparts. I also think that the careers of Abe, Xuas, JT and arguably Melandri suffered from their spell in the squad. In fact I remember Reuben crashing once because someone forgot to turn the tyre warmers on; that's not even a club racing error. Nonetheless there's no underestimating the experience in the team and the particular genius of Guy Coulon, and his technical expertise in chassis design.
Regarding Cal - I don't believe that he's arrogant in the slightest. He's a racer and he's ultra competitive. He's also very friendly with Tom Sykes, so I find the implication that he was making disparaging remarks his way bizarre. Cal at Tech Trois? He should stay in WSBk - this will bring his carer to a dead halt. It will take a stellar talent for a Brit to obtain a top ride in Moto GP and circumvent the satellite teams. IMO this can only be done by ascending the lower support classes, and Bradley doesn't quite have the phenomenal talent that this takes. Ben Spies is not only in the right place at the right time, but has the necessary reserves and depth of talent and intelligence to become a premier rider in the blue ribbon class. Again, I fail to see why Spies is perceived as arrogant - I disagree.
Cal's main claim to fame btw is that he hails from the same town as Drill!!
Shinya had some reasonable rides on the YZR500, but since the advent of the four stroke era I've tended to view them as a career cul-de-sac. I don't think the current M1's have been that far removed from the Factory counterparts. I also think that the careers of Abe, Xuas, JT and arguably Melandri suffered from their spell in the squad. In fact I remember Reuben crashing once because someone forgot to turn the tyre warmers on; that's not even a club racing error. Nonetheless there's no underestimating the experience in the team and the particular genius of Guy Coulon, and his technical expertise in chassis design.
Regarding Cal - I don't believe that he's arrogant in the slightest. He's a racer and he's ultra competitive. He's also very friendly with Tom Sykes, so I find the implication that he was making disparaging remarks his way bizarre. Cal at Tech Trois? He should stay in WSBk - this will bring his carer to a dead halt. It will take a stellar talent for a Brit to obtain a top ride in Moto GP and circumvent the satellite teams. IMO this can only be done by ascending the lower support classes, and Bradley doesn't quite have the phenomenal talent that this takes. Ben Spies is not only in the right place at the right time, but has the necessary reserves and depth of talent and intelligence to become a premier rider in the blue ribbon class. Again, I fail to see why Spies is perceived as arrogant - I disagree.
Cal's main claim to fame btw is that he hails from the same town as Drill!!
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
I tend to equate Tech Trois with the Nakano and O.J. 250 years when they were one of the most sorted teams in the paddock - but then they were a factory team at the time.
Shinya had some reasonable rides on the YZR500, but since the advent of the four stroke era I've tended to view them as a career cul-de-sac. I don't think the current M1's have been that far removed from the Factory counterparts. I also think that the careers of Abe, Xuas, JT and arguably Melandri suffered from their spell in the squad. In fact I remember Reuben crashing once because someone forgot to turn the tyre warmers on; that's not even a club racing error. Nonetheless there's no underestimating the experience in the team and the particular genius of Guy Coulon, and his technical expertise in chassis design.
Regarding Cal - I don't believe that he's arrogant in the slightest. He's a racer and he's ultra competitive. He's also very friendly with Tom Sykes, so I find the implication that he was making disparaging remarks his way bizarre. Cal at Tech Trois? He should stay in WSBk - this will bring his carer to a dead halt. It will take a stellar talent for a Brit to obtain a top ride in Moto GP and circumvent the satellite teams. IMO this can only be done by ascending the lower support classes, and Bradley doesn't quite have the phenomenal talent that this takes. Ben Spies is not only in the right place at the right time, but has the necessary reserves and depth of talent and intelligence to become a premier rider in the blue ribbon class. Again, I fail to see why Spies is perceived as arrogant - I disagree.
Cal's main claim to fame btw is that he hails from the same town as Drill!!
Agree. British fans don't need a Toesland redux just now. Their psyches are just beginning to heal.
Joined Aug 2007
11K Posts | 3K+
Pomona NY
Does he really..? Ha!!
I forget her name - but she was a Playboy centerfold dressed up like a taxi driver about 6 years ago.
There was some part of a thread discussing her with photos etc back when all the rumors were going
around about Spies going to WSBK.
http://www.google.com/search?q=leti...s=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a
I tend to equate Tech Trois with the Nakano and O.J. 250 years when they were one of the most sorted teams in the paddock - but then they were a factory team at the time.
Shinya had some reasonable rides on the YZR500, but since the advent of the four stroke era I've tended to view them as a career cul-de-sac. I don't think the current M1's have been that far removed from the Factory counterparts. I also think that the careers of Abe, Xuas, JT and arguably Melandri suffered from their spell in the squad. In fact I remember Reuben crashing once because someone forgot to turn the tyre warmers on; that's not even a club racing error. Nonetheless there's no underestimating the experience in the team and the particular genius of Guy Coulon, and his technical expertise in chassis design.
Regarding Cal - I don't believe that he's arrogant in the slightest. He's a racer and he's ultra competitive. He's also very friendly with Tom Sykes, so I find the implication that he was making disparaging remarks his way bizarre. Cal at Tech Trois? He should stay in WSBk - this will bring his carer to a dead halt. It will take a stellar talent for a Brit to obtain a top ride in Moto GP and circumvent the satellite teams. IMO this can only be done by ascending the lower support classes, and Bradley doesn't quite have the phenomenal talent that this takes. Ben Spies is not only in the right place at the right time, but has the necessary reserves and depth of talent and intelligence to become a premier rider in the blue ribbon class. Again, I fail to see why Spies is perceived as arrogant - I disagree.
Cal's main claim to fame btw is that he hails from the same town as Drill!!
Yep,agree with you there Mark,especially being from my town......thats very important!!!
