The die is cast and Cal Crutchlow will have to take the reins from Aragon, after Dovizioso throws in the towel at Misano. The Yamaha test rider made four substitutions last year, with anonymous results, and, this time, he will have six to take on, with an overseas campaign. Count on two more tests and we see that the Englishman will have eight intense weeks. With what ambition? Have fun for sure, work for 2023 perhaps, but you shouldn't count on maintaining your former position.
Cal Crutchlow spoke about his return this year to MotoGP as a replacement at RNF for a Andrea Dovizioso who will retire at the beginning of September at the end of the San Marino Grand Prix in Misano. He will therefore find the elite peloton of the Grands Prix in Aragon, track where he recently coached Toprak Razgatlioglu during his M1 discovery session. He will therefore start from less far than last year and it is a difference that counts for the Englishman: “ The situation was a little different last year because I hadn't driven for a long time. Some tests were canceled at the time. It's different this year. When I returned to Austria last year, I hadn't ridden a motorcycle for almost six months. It was too long ».
And he remembers his first contact with the Red Bull Ring track: “ my engine almost died and I almost hit the pit wall. When I first accelerated, I felt extreme pressure on my head from the G forces. I was hoping it would stop. But after one ride, everything was OK ". However, he is well aware that it will not be a cakewalk… “ It's not easy to come back and run. You can test as much as you want, but nothing compares to racing. The way the guys are running now… The peloton is so strong. I have no expectations. I'll do my best ».
Cal Crutchlow: “ six races in eight weeks, two tests to do, it's going to be a stressful time«
Cal Crutchlow adds: " six races in eight weeks. I still have two tests to do. It's going to be a stressful time ". But will he be able to work towards 2023 in a team that will abandon Yamaha at the end of this season for Aprilia ? He assures us that yes despite this situation which will push the Japanese engineers not to reveal anything in the Malaysian's box. Razlan Razali : " I can help Yamaha. I am no longer a competitor, but I still try to give the best information to Yamaha. We need to use this time well to evaluate many things. We focus on the 2023 motorcycle to make it better for factory riders ».
Then he concludes with motogp.com : " I have already ended my career twice. After this time, I will stop for the third time. I can not wait to be there ". A remark which will reinforce Razlan Razali in his idea already expressed: « after Rossi it seems we are a team where drivers come to retire"
Last year, Crutchlow had replaced Franco Morbidelli injured one knee, then Maverick Vinales, who had left the brand with losses and crashes. This time, it will be in place of his former friend from Tech3 Andrea Dovizioso. Turnover has definitely accelerated at Lin Jarvis since fabio quartararo took power there.
