This is not official news yet, but it is a strong trend that is shared right up to the boss of the LCR team. The pilot Cal Crutchlow who officiates there is finished with the current MotoGP season. His teammate Nakagami won't see him on the Honda again until next year. The German Stefan bradl who is the test man for HRC will do the freelance work. So many elements confirmed by boss Lucio Cecchinello in great detail…
Cal Crutchlow suffered a heavy crash during FP2 of the Australian Grand Prix. At more than 300 km/h, he found himself the toy of the gravel trap. From which he was relieved with a broken ankle. And the bill to pay is severe: “ I'm not a doctor... But there are two fractures at the bottom of the tibia and fibula, and the ankle is affected » comments the boss of the LCR Honda team on Speedweek. “ We need to be aware that this is not a broken collarbone, where you can ride again after two weeks... »
« Cal has now completed the first minor operation. A plate and screws were used. On Thursday, the next operation will follow. Sunday or Monday, he will be able to return to Europe. At this time, there is no reason to rush and risk causing permanent damage to your right ankle. In my realistic estimate, we won't see Cal on a racing machine until February at the Sepang test ».
He adds : " That's how it is. We can't change anything. Still, there is hope that Cal can be up and running for testing Nov. 23-25. But Cal will make this decision with the doctors. This test will take place four weeks after the operation. Since Cal is very fit and still young, this could be an option. "
Stefan bradl will therefore freelance. An old acquaintance from the LCR team that she reunites with after four years… “ Stefan drove for us from 2012 to 2014. It was a fruitful collaboration and we always enjoyed working with him. We think he can do a good job. He's really talented, he knows the team, he knows the bike, he knows the way we work and he's used to communicating with our team manager Beefy. We know Stefan's driving style. These are good conditions. »
More Cecchinello knows he cannot expect miracles from a driver who has only done three Grand Prix in 13 months. “ I was a pilot myself. Therefore, I am aware of the fact that you do not get a certain feeling with the motorcycle when you only ride occasionally. And with all the regular drivers racing every two weeks to compete in a race weekend. We can't expect Stefan to fight for podiums like Cal. But we calculate the world championship points. Any position between 10 and 15 would be very useful to us. If Stefan places in the top ten in the practice sessions, the result would be remarkable. But we won't make any drama if we don't win points in Malaysia."
He finishes : " in the recent history of MotoGP I have never had a replacement rider who jumped on a top bike and put in an astonishing performance ».
