MotoGP fan favourite Cal Crutchlow stays for iconic Brno and Assen races

The British three-time race-winner returned for the first time since 2023 in Mugello and last time out in Hungary, where he finished just outside the points in 16th. It’s now been announced that he’ll be keeping his place on the LCR Honda for upcoming races in Czechia and the Netherlands.

The first of those races will bring back particularly fond memories as Crutchlow recorded his first podium at Brno in 2012 and his maiden victory in 2016.

The Coventry-born 40-year-old competed in MotoGP for ten full seasons from 2011 to 2020, making 180 starts and recording 19 podiums along with his trio of victories.

He stepped into a reserve role in 2021 with Yamaha, but subbed in for the injured Franco Morbidelli for four races before doing the same in 2022 when Andrea Dovizioso stepped away.

In 2023, he was a wildcard entry for the Japanese Grand Prix, his last race before the May call-up in Mugello.

Crutchlow’s return came in response to an injury suffered by Zarco during the Catalunya Grand Prix on May 17. The eventful race was red-flagged after Alex Marquez suffered a nasty crash, and upon the restart, Zarco went down at turn one and tangled with Francesco Bagnaia’s Ducati.

The race was red-flagged again, and the Frenchman was taken to hospital, where he gave an update wearing a neck brace. Despite the concerning images, Zarco played down fears, calling the brace ‘annoying’ and revealing no broken bones. Yet damage to his knee ligaments will now require surgery, something that will keep the 35-year-old on the sidelines even longer.

In a recent social media update, he said: “Two weeks now since the scary crash at Montmelo. I am taking care of my leg and it improves quite quick. I need to wait for surgery because I got burned very deeply under the knee and I can't risk having an infection during surgery. Thanks to everyone writing me and wishing me the best recovery.”

As for Crutchlow, he admitted that last time out in Hungary was his hardest-ever race while speaking to the media post-race: