Crutchlow in Brno: The result is likely to be different from 10 years ago!

Racing veteran Cal Crutchlow is set to make his third appearance as a stand-in for Johann Zarco. The LCR regular, who suffered a serious injury to his right knee at Catalunya, will be sidelined for several more months. According to team boss Lucio Cecchinello, the chances of Zarco returning in top form later in the season are good.

As Cal Crutchlow will be competing in Brno and Assen in any case, the 40-year-old now has a different status. Instead of simply tagging along without any ambitions, the aim from Brno onwards is to fight for better positions with real determination. Judging by Crutchlow’s lap times during the Balaton GP, the mission does not, at least, seem hopeless. The number 35 rider had reduced his deficit – which was originally almost three seconds – to less than a second.

Ahead of the premier class’s first session in Brno, Crutchlow remained combative: “Mugello was really tough; all sorts of wild thoughts were going through my head in the first few laps – it was better in Hungary; I made the best of the situation and improved – and now in Brno I hope to keep moving up the order.”

Brünn 2026: LCR-Honda-Pilot Crutchlow schlug Rossi und Marquez

Foto: Gold and Goose

Crutchlow, who scored a sensational victory for LCR in Brno a decade ago ahead of the legends Rossi and Marquez, had this to say about Brno: “The track here in Brno suits me – but it’s also very long, and it could well be that the gaps will widen again. I mean, I’m obviously not riding for the win in Brno. There’s a strong chance that Sunday’s result will be exactly the opposite of what it was ten years ago. However, so far I’ve improved in every session, and that remains the aim.”

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The Briton hopes to find an even better riding position on the RC213V. “It sounds a bit crazy, but I’m still not sitting properly on the bike. I can’t really reach the handlebar stubs properly. The ergonomics are nothing like they used to be, and it’s not as simple as just screwing on a couple of new stubs. But I hope we can make some improvements in that area. If I’m sitting better, everything else will come more easily to me.”

And how is Crutchlow feeling physically after two intense MotoGP weekends? “Honestly – I had serious concerns. After the race at Mugello, I had problems with my shoulder; the strain there was very high. But that sorted itself out after a two-day break and then some targeted training. I’m completely fit!”