Podium for Cal Crutchlow at sunny Snetterton

British Supersport
By Carly Rathmell
July 12 2005

Despite still suffering from a badly damaged arm, 19-year-old Northpoint Honda Racing rider Cal Crutchlow scored his second podium of the season at the Norfolk based circuit of Snetterton, in the British Supersport Championships.

In soaring temperatures Crutchlow made some inspiring manoeuvres on his fellow rivals to take a well-earned podium place. However, team-mate Craig Jones did not have the same luck as he crashed out of the lead of the race on lap 15 of 19.

After an early red flag the race was declared a full restart - after a crash at the chicane left débris on the track. Jones got an awesome start and was dominating at the front, dicing with Ducati rider Stuart Easton. Qualifying in second position on the grid, Jones was feeling confident as he headed into Sunday’s race and was looking smooth throughout the weekend. Crutchlow had been suffering all weekend with severe arm pump due to the lack of use of his bicep muscle - his lower forearm was having to work twice as hard. In managing to qualify in tenth position on the grid the youngster from Coventry certainly made amends.

A number of Northpoint Honda sponsors and invited guests were present over the weekend, and were wooed by the two Honda riders during the race. Jones’ spectacular riding style was certainly apparent, and his fraught and thoughtful overtaking manoeuvres encouraged the guests even more. The disappointment was apparent on their faces when they saw the young rider from Peterborough crash out, but they were soon back on their feet willing Crutchlow to his podium place.

Even though Jones did not finish, he still remains second in the overall championship standings. An eventful weekend saw two of his main rivals, Tom Sykes and Stuart Easton, also crashing out and both sustaining broken wrists. Crutchlow is now in sixth in the championship, but is quickly catching fourth and fifth position.

A disappointed Jones said, “This is a huge let down for me, and something I certainly could have done without. I’ve lost my lead in the championship, but the fight certainly isn’t over yet, and we still have a long way in the season to go. This is my first DNF of the year, and now I must ensure that I remain in the points and score consistently at the remaining rounds. The track was certainly pretty slippery today and it was just one of those racing incidents. Thankfully I wasn’t injured and I’d like to wish Tom and Stuart a speedy recovery and see them back racing soon.”

Crutchlow on the other hand was extremely pleased, saying, “I never thought after qualifying in tenth place that I would end up on the podium. I certainly left myself with a lot of work to do. I’ve been struggling all weekend with my arm and didn’t know what I would be like in the race. I am having an operation on Wednesday to relieve the arm pump situation, as we now have a five week gap which should leave me with enough time to recover. I’m made up with the podium place, and hope I’ll get some more before the season ends.”