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MotoGP, Year over for Crutchlow, he'll return in 2019

Cal will also miss the test in Spain at the end of the month and won't ride the Honda until February at Sepang. Bradl will replace the Brit at the Valencia GP

MotoGP: Year over for Crutchlow, he'll return in 2019

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2018 is officially over for Cal Crutchlow, as LCR team rider will not only miss the Valencia GP but also the subsequent tests. The Brit sustained multiple fractures to his right ankle at Phillip Island and, despite the successful outcome of surgery carried out in Melbourne, the recovery time is far from short.

Cal will use the winter to work on returning to full fitness, but he will not be taking part in the Valencia or Jerez test sessions.

“First of all, I would like to say thank you for all the well wishes I have received since the Friday of the Philip Island GP. To all the medical staff at the circuit, my LCR Honda CASTROL Team, HRC and everyone who came to visit me while I was in hospital in Melbourne, especially my wife Lucy who travelled to be with me for the 12 days I had to stay. Also, Jake Harrison and Andy Roche for sorting everything out and, of course, our Team Manager Lucio (Cecchinello) who stayed with me every day until he went to Malaysia”.

As we've said, the operation was successful,

“Matthias Russ and Dr Evans who initially put an external fixator on my leg until the swelling went down and they could operate, which was 6 days later. The crash resulted in a Pilon fracture of my tibia, fibia and talus bone. The surgery was completed in three and half hours and, along with reconstruction with artificial bone, two metal plates and eight screws were inserted”.

Despite it all, Crutchow thought he could be back racing in record time.

“The injury I have can take a recovery time of up to 12 months and, although as a typical motorcycle racer I thought I would be back in time for the Valencia GP, unfortunately this is not the case. I can’t put any weight on my ankle for six weeks, but am continuing to recover and having physiotherapy. This week I will start to try and cycle again and look forward to preparing for Sepang in February 2019”.

At Valencia, Stefan Bradl will replace Cal on the Honda, wearing the colours of team LCR.

Translated by Heather Watson
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