Cal Crutchlow - Photo Credit: Tech 3
Cal Crutchlow is under no illusions how tough this weekend's Malaysian Grand Prix is going to be as he prepares for the sport's biggest physical test. While the Sepang International Circuit has its own challenges with sweeping fast corners and heavy braking, the heat and humidity will push the rider's fitness to the limit.
Crutchlow has previous experience in Kuala Lumpur having tested here in February but the Briton admits he found it particularly difficult and expects a stern test this weekend.
“To be honest the two tests at the beginning of the year weren’t easy at all. Sepang is not only difficult from a physical point of view with the heat and humidity but the circuit was incredibly hard to learn. It is long and very wide, so even though I’ve been here twice before on the YZR-M1, I’m expecting a tough weekend. Physically I’m fine after Phillip Island. I’ve got a few bumps and bruises but what hurt more is that I could have had an eighth place and that’s a shame because those points would have been good for the Championship. Since I was here in Sepang earlier in the year I have gained so much experience about the bike and tyres and I’m looking forward to picking up a strong result.”
Colin Edwards comes into this weekend on the back of an excellent fifth in Australia and with the American preparing to start his penultimate race for Monster Yamaha Tech 3, Edwards is highly motivated.
“Sepang sometimes feels like a second home because we spend so much time here and I practically know every inch of the track like the back of my hand. It is a long and technical track but obviously everybody talks about the weather conditions here. There’s no doubt that the heat and humidity is really punishing and it doesn’t matter how many years I’ve been coming here, you never got used to it. All you can do is drink lots of water to keep yourself hydrated and try and conserve as much as energy as possible for the race. Last weekend was a great result and if I can repeat that it would be absolutely awesome. Although I’ve done a million laps round Sepang, I’ve never come away with a decent result, so I’m looking to change that on Sunday. I’m coming to the end of my time with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team and I really want to finish on a high because it has been an amazing spell in my career.”
