Cal Crutchlow wants MotoGP career momentum back with LCR Honda move

The Brit finished fifth in the 2013 standings on a Tech 3 Yamaha, claiming two pole positions and four podiums, but a crash during 2014's second round at Austin marred the remainder of his campaign.

With an injured hand, he missed the next race at Termas de Rio Hondo and eventually scored a single podium at Aragon on his way to 13th in the points, eight places behind team-mate Andrea Dovizioso.

After agreeing to terminate his two-year deal early, he has moved to the satellite Honda outfit.

"Of course, but that isn't down to the team or the bike that I was riding," Crutchlow told AUTOSPORT, when asked if he felt 2014 had hurt his momentum.

"I was going well at Texas then had probably one of the biggest crashes of my career, and never really recovered from it as well as I should have.

"It became difficult after that because Andrea was riding really well and getting a lot of support from Ducati, whereas I was riding injured and trying to ride around it.

"It was a little bit of a downward spiral in the middle of the season, but I proved by the end of the season that I was still able to be competitive, and challenge the guys at the front.

"Riding when you're injured is never good in MotoGP, but I feel ready now. I feel good enough on the bike to be competitive, there's no doubt about that."

Dovizioso and Andrea Iannone, Crutchlow's replacement, topped the final pre-season test in Qatar for Ducati, which last won a grand prix in 2010 with Casey Stoner.

Crutchlow was seventh-fastest on the opening two days, before the final session was rained out.

"I believe that we've taken the right steps to improve in me riding the Honda," the 29-year-old, who is on his third different bike in as many seasons, said.

"Understanding the bike's very difficult, but that's part of MotoGP - if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.

"The Yamaha was really strong with its corner speed, but then I jumped on the Ducati and it wasn't as good there, so you had to work out where the positives were, and now it's the same with the Honda.

"You have to ride it a little bit differently, but you figure it out.

"I know how the other guys on Hondas ride fast, but doing it's another thing.

"Marc [Marquez] is now on his third season and has probably done 30,000 kilometres on the bike, Dani [Pedrosa]'s on his 10th season and has maybe done a hundred thousand kilometres.

"You only learn through doing more laps, more time riding the motorcycle. I feel OK at the minute, I don't feel phenomenal, I don't feel bad.

"But with time and experience of riding the Honda I'll feel more comfortable."

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