Crutchlow: I deserve more support from Honda

After winning his first race in mixed conditions at Brno, Crutchlow proved his success was no fluke by winning in the dry at Phillip Island, capitalising on a crash for race leader Marc Marquez.

However, speaking to media after his win, the British rider said he felt Honda could do more to support him and his LCR team, which was linked with a switch to Suzuki machinery earlier this year. 

He highlighted the fact that no official Honda personnel came to the post-race press conference as evidence that some within the factory are not keen on seeing him upstage the factory riders.

“I’m happy with my team, but I think maybe I deserve support from my factory,” Crutchlow said. “I remember when I rode for [Tech 3] Yamaha [in 2011-13], I got good support from the factory and I was offered a contract to stay. 

“We get good support now, don’t get me wrong, but I think they should be helping me personally more and Lucio [Cecchinello, team boss] more.

“It’s disappointing to win a race and the boss [from Honda] isn’t here. I tell you, if I was with another factory, they would be here.

“I know there are some people internally that really help me, and I know there are people internally don’t like that those people help me, but that’s the way it is. It’s a cut-throat business.”

Future title bid a “big ask”

Following his wins at Brno and Phillip Island, Crutchlow has now scored more points than any other rider in the last six races – including newly-crowned three-time champion Marquez.

However, Crutchlow, who is contracted to the LCR Honda team in 2017 and has expressed a wish to stay after that deal expires, played down suggestions of being a title challenger in future.

He said: “I’m realistic, and at the moment, the way things are with what we get from Honda and the way the bike is… I don’t know. It would be a big ask to be a title contender next year. 

“But it doesn’t stop me believing I can be. I will try, sure; if it doesn’t happen, it doesn’t happen. I’ve been getting these good results here and there, which is way good enough for my team, and for me personally.”

Additional reporting by Andrew van Leeuwen