Cal Crutchlow’s learning curve on the Yamaha M1, took a step backwards during the final night of testing at the Losail race circuit.
The Tech3 rider was one of the numerous riders who crashed and the only one who picked up a painful injury that could hamper his rookie MotoGP debut.
Following a heavy crash at turn 10, his left hand got trapped under the handlebar of his M1 and the incident cost him the tip of his little finger, but fortunately he won’t be needing surgery.
“The test certainly didn’t end how I wanted and it is a real shame because we had made some changes to the balance of the bike that really helped my confidence with the front-end tonight.
But I made a silly little mistake at Turn 10,” said Crutchlow.
“I lost the rear and closed the throttle but then lost the front and I couldn’t get my left hand out from underneath the handlebar.
I’ve basically taken the tip off my left little finger and it is really sore now.
I don’t need surgery but it is obviously going to be uncomfortable this weekend for the race now.
It is a shame because I was only 0.
5s away from the top ten last night.
I adapted to riding under the floodlights really quickly once I realised the shadows weren’t somebody trying to overtake me! I was confident of taking another step tonight and I’m sure I could have done without the crash.
”“It cost me nearly three hours of track time, which I can’t really afford to lose at this stage, but I’m still looking forward to my MotoGP debut.
It will be an honour to line-up against this field on Sunday night and as always I’ll be giving it my best.
”Photo source calcrutchlowforum