Jack Miller and Cal Crutchlow surprised by Christophe Ponsson accusations

Jack Miller says he and fellow MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow were "put in the mud" after Misano wildcard Christophe Ponsson's recent statement

Ponsson made his MotoGP debut as stand-in for the injured Tito Rabat in the San Marino Grand Prix, and was poised to continue with the Avintia Ducati team - only for his entry for Aragon to be denied by MotoGP's Grand Prix Commission.

The Frenchman, whose debut was met with skepticism by series regulars, claimed he'd heard the decision was down to pressure from MotoGP riders, most notably Crutchlow and Miller.

Miller was puzzled by this, but also suggested it meant a fellow rider had "leaked" information from a Safety Commission meeting.

"I don't understand why Cal and I have been singled out," he said.

"Maybe we made a joke or something like that, while the other riders were all talking about it, and I guess we got remembered.

"But for one, Safety Commission is meant to be a closed commission, what happens behind the walls is meant to stay there, and obviously somebody - not going to point the finger - has leaked it to the team. I'd say one of the other riders.

"And... [they] put me and Cal in the mud, for no reason. And we look like the arseholes in the whole situation, when we're speaking common sense."

Crutchlow appeared even more surprised that he and former LCR team-mate Miller had been namechecked by Ponsson.

"As you know, me and Jack Miller got blamed for him [Ponsson] not riding [at Aragon], but I have no idea why and how or what," Crutchlow said.

"I was the first guy on Thursday, probably the only guy that said, give him a chance and let him ride and we should have different guys be able coming into the championship when there is an opportunity.

"So how I got blamed I have no idea."

The Briton stressed, however, that he was "willing to accept" the blame, reiterating his belief that Avintia was "stupid" to put Ponsson the bike.

Miller added that Ponsson's participation was a bad look for MotoGP, and could've been a bigger safety worry on tracks shorter than Misano.

"It looks unprofessional when you come to a race, and, for example, I crash and I can still lap him, he nearly got lapped twice, in a track that is quite long, Misano," he said.

"The big worry is not only about Misano, but it's coming to faster tracks, like Phillip Island, where the laptime is closer to the [1m]20s - to get lapped in Phillip Island is much easier than to get lapped in Misano.

"But not only that, you saw in the first free practices, many riders nearly touching him.

"Cal and I got singled out but everybody was more or less on the side of us about it."

shares
comments

Espargaro: Romano Fenati treated 'as a murderer' for Misano clash

Valentino Rossi hopes he's wrong about Yamaha Aragon MotoGP chances

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Oriol Puigdemont

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing for the better

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title fights to losing it all in four years

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne? Is MotoGP's comeback king ready to reclaim his throne?

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP’s underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Plus
Plus
MotoGP
Germán Garcia Casanova

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Subscribe