Brno MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow determined to capitalise on maiden podium

On the weekend that he extended his Tech 3 Yamaha deal for another season, Crutchlow qualified a career-best second then held on to third throughout the race.

"It wasn't an eventful race, but it's a great way to go into the second half of the season, having signed a new contract with the Tech 3 Yamaha team," said Crutchlow. "Hopefully now we can continue this run."

Although Crutchlow could not keep up with leaders Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo, he was able to stay a safe distance ahead of Tech 3 team-mate Andrea Dovizioso throughout.

"It's great. I think we did a sort of perfect weekend," said Crutchlow.

"We never had the pace of the front two guys but I knew that after a few laps in the race.

"I think we had a really strong pace, faster than everyone else, so I sort of controlled the race.

"I made sure that Dovi wasn't too close. Once I had a second I continued to pull a gap.

"Twenty-two laps on your own is quite a long race.

"Sometimes could see Jorge and Dani so I knew the gap, but I kept a consistent pace and rode to my pitboard."