The Manx MotoGP rider had a
tough start to the season and a
middle were some of the best
rides of his career, including his
first two GP wins ever. Michael
Laverty sat down with Cal earlier
in the year to see how he was
dealing with the pressure and
H
what he saw on the horizon.
ow’ve you found the bike this
year - is it a factory Honda? I
know it’s quite close to the Repsol
bikes, is it identical or a step
down? What’s the level?
I think it’s a little different how it works in the satellite
teams in MotoGP now. My bike is similar to Marc and
Dani’s. The engine is the same. But maybe they have
a little bit more speed from something other than the
engine, something that we might get in a few races.
That’s the way it works at Honda. If they try something
and it works, it seems we’ll get it two or three races
later. But that isn’t always the case, especially this
year with them being able to change the engine and
how it works. They’ve been really busy with that, to be
honest. That was the main priority. They didn’t change
the swing arm, the chassis, nothing.
Those things will start to come, I think, within the year.
So no, the bike is not identical to Marc and Dani’s,
sure, but it’s not far away.
I think the closest manufacturer with satellite bikes
is Yamaha. I know from when I rode at Yamaha, the
changes they made from the year before are nothing;
a tiny, tiny percentage. They make it just a little bit
different. They wheel the bikes out of the factory
garage and put them in the satellite garage the night
after the final race of the season. Then they make a
small modification to their bike - but it’s 1%, 2%. I like
the way that Honda works. I like the way I get to test
for the factory. Maybe I don’t race it or sometimes I
don’t get it, but I don’t mind doing some things like
that and then reaping the rewards in the end. Sure,
this year’s been a little bit more difficult for Honda - for
all the riders - but they’re working really, really hard.
So that direct link is there! Addressing one of the
big rumours at the moment regarding the potential
Repsol Honda seat, your name’s been linked to it
for next year. I guess it’s early days, but is there
anything you can tell us at this stage beyond the
rumour? u
Cal
Crutchlow
difficult final two races. But in the
Interview: Michael Laverty
Pictures: Courtesy of Monster Energy