Why were the Yamahas so much faster at Qatar? “The Yamaha is better in tricky conditions,” Crutchlow explained, pointing also to the results at Jerez. He did not expect it to last, and once the track improved, the Hondas would be back with a vengeance, he predicted.
“When the track conditions come cleaner, the Honda has maybe half a second advantage,” Crutchlow told reporters. He also had a good explanation for why the Hondas struggle in the trickier conditions. The way the Hondas turn, Crutchlow explained, is by sliding the rear. They slide and use the slide to get drive. Under less than ideal conditions, the bike continues to slide, but the drive is no longer there, making the bike much slower.