At present, Honda – supplier of LCR’s RC213V machines – has Takaaki Nakagami and Aleix Espargaro as its two main test riders and potential stand-ins in the event one of its regular riders is sidelined through injury. However, the Spaniard is unavailable after the crash he suffered around a month ago during a private test session at Sepang in Malaysia.
The logical move would have been to place Nakagami on the bike, but several factors led Cecchinello to bring Crutchlow back instead.
Firstly, Honda is keen to protect Nakagami from any potential injury risk, as the Japanese rider is playing a key role in the development of the prototype the manufacturer plans to field next season under MotoGP’s new technical regulations, centred around the 850cc engine.
At the same time, the Tokyo-born rider – who retired from full-time racing in 2024 – does not appear particularly enthusiastic about taking on the demands associated with grand prix weekends.
Crutchlow, who formally retired in 2020 after six years as one of LCR’s leading riders under direct Honda contract, joined Yamaha as a test rider for 2021 and went on to contest several races as a substitute rider through to 2023.
Subsequently, a hand injury that later became more complicated forced him away from the paddock, until he received a call from Cecchinello a few days ago.
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