Image: Supplied.

Cal Crutchlow is overwhelmingly pleased to rebound at Phillip Island with a podium result, one year on from fracturing his ankle in a heavy fall at the Australian venue.

The LCR Honda rider displayed promising pace throughout the weekend, qualifying in P6 before charging to second in the 27-lap encounter, benefiting from Maverick Vinales’ (Monster Energy Yamaha) crash on the final time around the circuit.

“I knew coming into today that I had the pace to be on the podium, no matter what from Friday’s free practice,” said Crutchlow. “We’ve worked hard for this, three podiums in the year is always good, it’s unfortunate that Maverick fell off, but we were still on the podium and we have to be happy with our pace today.

“I didn’t have the grip or the bike under me to be able to go with Marc or Maverick so I had a big gap behind and was happy with my pace. The last five laps I had to manage my rear tyre and I was just riding home and then it started raining on the final lap! I’m really, really pleased to get a podium here in Australia after what happened last year, at one point I didn’t think I was coming back.

“I want to thank Honda and my crew who did a great job building me a bike capable of being on the podium today. The whole LCR Castrol team deserved this today. We know we got lucky with second place, because Maverick deserved to be on the podium, but it’s great to be up on the podium with my mate Jack.”

Crutchlow now sits ninth in the championship standings as the series heads to Sepang in Malaysia this weekend.