Subscribe

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global
Breaking news

Honda confirms two-year factory contract for Crutchlow

Cal Crutchlow has secured a factory contract with Honda that will keep him at the LCR MotoGP team for 2018/19, as predicted by Motorsport.com last week.

Cal Crutchlow, Team LCR Honda

Cal Crutchlow, Team LCR Honda

Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Cal Crutchlow, Team LCR Honda
Cal Crutchlow, Team LCR Honda
Cal Crutchlow, Team LCR Honda
Cal Crutchlow, Team LCR Honda
Cal Crutchlow, Team LCR Honda
Cal Crutchlow, Team LCR Honda
Cal Crutchlow, Team LCR Honda
Cal Crutchlow, Team LCR Honda

Crutchlow is now into his third season with leading Honda satellite squad LCR, with which he won two grands prix in 2016, and has been taking on an increasing test and development workload for the factory.

Honda's announcement of Crutchlow's new deal also confirmed that it was continuing with LCR as well.

Tetsuhiro Kuwata, general manager of HRC's race operations management division, said of Crutchlow and LCR: "we really appreciate the work they’re doing, and we decided to confirm our relationship and even elevate it by having Cal under contract directly with HRC".

Crutchlow added that he was "positive that we will enjoy more great results together".

He had suggested at the last MotoGP round at Barcelona that he had options elsewhere in the paddock, including with factory teams, but that he saw no reason not to continue with LCR and Honda.

Crutchlow's 2016 wins were the first in MotoGP for LCR, and team principal Lucio Cecchinello said he was delighted that their partnership would be extended.

"Cal is undoubtedly one of the most competitive and talented riders in MotoGP, and thanks to HRC’s support, we are honoured to work with him again for the next two years," said Cecchinello.

"Cal gave us our first ever victory in the premier class of MotoGP and further important results. I want to thank all those who worked and supported this project so far, first and foremost HRC."

LCR is also expected to return to running a second bike next season, with Moto2 race winner and Honda protege Takaaki Nakagami tipped to ride it.

2018 MotoGP rider line-up so far:

TeamRiders
Repsol Honda

 Marc Marquez

 Dani Pedrosa

Movistar Yamaha

 Valentino Rossi

 Maverick Vinales

Ducati

 Andrea Dovizioso

 Jorge Lorenzo

Suzuki

 Andrea Iannone*

 Alex Rins

Aprilia

 Aleix Espargaro

 Sam Lowes*

KTM

 Pol Espargaro

 Bradley Smith

LCR Honda

 Cal Crutchlow

TBA

Marc VDS Honda TBA
Tech 3 Yamaha

 Johann Zarco

 Jonas Folger

Pramac Ducati TBA
Aspar Ducati TBA
Avintia Ducati TBA

* Under contract but ride thought to be in doubt

Be part of Motorsport community

Join the conversation
Previous article Miller sick of being "dicked" on acceleration
Next article Suzuki couldn't see tough start to 2017 season coming

Top Comments

There are no comments at the moment. Would you like to write one?

Sign up for free

  • Get quick access to your favorite articles

  • Manage alerts on breaking news and favorite drivers

  • Make your voice heard with article commenting.

Motorsport prime

Discover premium content
Subscribe

Edition

Global