MotoGP stars set for TT Mountain course lap
Two of Britain’s best motorbike racers – Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith – have hotfooted it from the MotoGP paddock to appear at the Isle of Man TT.
The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 pair will be taking part in a parade lap of the TT Mountain Course today, subject to weather, with Cal riding a Yamaha R1 and Bradley on his Tech 3 600 machine. The pair will be setting off five minutes apart with Cal scheduled to start at 12.30pm and Bradley at 12.35pm, ahead of the Senior TT Race. If racing is postponed today, the parade lap will take place tomorrow.
Cal is enjoying a successful second season in MotoGP. The Manx resident has already made his mark with fourth placed finishes in Qatar, Jerez at the opening MotoGP race of the season at Qatar and currently stands fifth in the Championship after five rounds.
The Coventry born rider is a former World Superbike star and finished as the top rookie in 12th place in his debut MotoGP season last year. He will be hoping for a first MotoGP podium at his home Grand Prix at Silverstone next weekend.
He said:
"Although I now live on the Isle of Man and regularly get to go round the course in a car or on a bike, it is something special to do a closed road lap of the course. I have a huge amount of respect for what the TT racers do and am really looking forward to the lap.”
Moto2 star Bradley Smith quickly made his mark in the World Championship with three podiums in his debut season in 2011. He also recorded three wins and 20 podiums in 80 starts in the 125cc World Championship between 2006 and 2011.
He said:
“So far I’ve only been round the course in a car with Milky Quayle and I didn’t get to see a race on my last visit because of the weather so I’m hoping today I’ll get the chance to experience the races properly, both with the lap and also the Senior TT.”
Fans will also get the chance to meet the pair at the Monster Energy Motorhome situated near the main Grandstand, between 11.15pm and 11.45pm ahead of their parade lap.
The pair will also be asking fans' question on Radio TT - you can submit yours via Facebook.