MotoGP: Hervè Poncharal “Crutchlow is a very special rider for me”

When Cal Crutchlow signed with Ducati a few weeks ago, a phrase stuck in the mind of many:The hardest thing will be telling Hervè!” This phrase encapsulates the special relationship that exists between the British driver and the team owner of Team Tech 3. Cal's was not a catchphrase, but just a way of expressing how close the two are. Here are Poncharal's words in this regard, as reported by MotoGP.com

“The summer was ruined by Cal's departure, but the good news is that Pol (Espargarò) will be with us starting next year. It will be a success given what he is doing in Moto2. He will be consistently top5-top6 in every GP and I am very happy to have two young people like him and Bradley Smith, who will definitely motivate each other.

I've said it a thousand times but I want to say it again: Cal is a very special driver for me. Many pilots have passed through here, but he will be one of those I will remember with most joy. Do you want me to cry? I have an incredible relationship with Cal, I respect and appreciate him. I'm not happy to lose him, but I think his decision is important for his career. He will be an official rider and will do well. He will still come to have lunch in hospitality with us and we will continue to follow him and then who knows, maybe in two or three years he will come back to us!"