Cal's down in Le dumps

IN THE HUNT ... but Cal Crutchlow's (rear) crash ended his podium hopes

CAL CRUTCHLOW missed out on a maiden podium finish after crashing out of a rain-hit Moto GP race in France. 

The Isle of Man-based rider was in a thrilling battle with Tech 3 Yamaha team-mate Andrea Dovizioso and seven-time champ Valentino Rossi on the Le Mans track. 

But Crutchlow and Italian Dovizioso both fell in the tricky conditions as they fought over third spot with resurgent Rossi. 

Crutchlow picked himself up to finish eighth, one place behind his team-mate, to remain fourth in the championship standings. 

The Coventry-born rider, 26, said: “I'm not happy to have crashed while I was fighting for the podium. 

“But the consolation is that at least I was battling for the top three again. 

“Being quickest in the warm-up meant I was confident going into the race but I wasn't really aggressive at the start. 

“It was a great battle with Andrea and Valentino though but I seemed to miss out on a bit of speed on the straight compared to them. 

“It was a shame I crashed. 

“There was a chance of the podium but at least I was there and I lost so much time after the crash that to still finish eighth is a bonus really. 

“Now we go to Barcelona knowing it will be tough but I will looking to be battling for the podium again.” 

Rossi, who has had a poor start to the season with Ducati, went out to take second spot from Australia’s reigning champ Casey Stoner on a thrilling last lap. 

Stoner, who has revealed he will quit at the end of the season, also lost the lead in this year’s standings as Yamaha rival Jorge Lorenzo raced to an emphatic victory.