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Crutchlow scores to third fastest time in final day of winter MotoGP testing in Sepang

Three days of official MotoGP tests came to close at the Sepang International Circuit today, as the CWM LCR Honda Team completed their penultimate pre-season session before the 18-round world championship begins in late March.

The day began in typical fashion at the scorching 3.444 mile circuit, with all riders heading quickly out onto the track at 10am to take advantage of the coolest part of the day. Cal Crutchlow was one of those firing in fast lap times from the off, topping the timesheets early on, and eventually setting a stunning personal best of 1’59.658, making him the third fastest rider of this week’s test.

Satisfied with the work done on the softer rubber, the British rider then set about working on the bike’s set-up in race trim, aiming to put in a long stint on the harder option tyres. However a slight issue with the braking system meant that he was forced to abandon his full-race plan for safety reasons, but he was nonetheless happy with the consistent progress made this week.

Crutchlow stays at the track tomorrow for one final day of testing, but on the Michelin tyres that will become the championship’s supplier from the 2016 season. For contractual reasons, no rider quotes will be available from this test.

Cal Crutchlow #35 | 3rd - 1’59.658 Lap 6 of 58
“For a track that I dislike, that’s my fastest ever lap around here by nearly eight-tenths of a second. I felt good and comfortable on the bike, and it’s not a bad lap considering the conditions of the circuit today.

I’m happy enough with how things are, but I still need to improve my riding style. The corner speed isn’t too bad, but although straight line braking is good, the other riders can take more risks than me in the moments just after. That’s a confidence thing though, and as the exit from the corners isn’t too bad I still think there is more to come.

In my earlier race simulation we didn’t have any braking power with the bike - exactly the same problem as Marc Marquez had earlier this week. As I have said we have been struggling with corner entry as it was, but I was still really riding well in my long run, it felt quite good but I was losing a second maybe on some laps just from being unable to stop with the brakes.â€

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