Cal Crutchlow to make MotoGP return as Johann Zarco's replacement

Crutchlow will return to MotoGP for the first time since 2023, with Zarco forced out of action by his Barcelona crash

LCR and Honda have given the green light for Cal Crutchlow to race in this weekend's Italian Grand Prix at Mugello as a replacement for the injured Johann Zarco.

As reported by Motorsport, Crutchlow joined the test session held by MotoGP’s five manufacturers at Misano on Wednesday in order to assess both his physical condition and the realistic chances of making a comeback with acceptable guarantees.

LCR confirmed the decision on Thursday morning.

The Mugello race will mark the return of the 40-year-old Briton almost three years after the last time he lined up on a MotoGP grid, at the 2023 Japanese Grand Prix, where he competed as a Yamaha wildcard while serving as the manufacturer’s test rider.

Despite Crutchlow's lengthy absence from racing, Zarco’s injury – with the Frenchman still waiting to undergo surgery following the serious injuries sustained in the heavy crash he suffered in Barcelona – has prompted LCR to turn to one of its most successful former riders. Crutchlow claimed three victories wearing Lucio Cecchinello’s team colours.

Cal Crutchlow, Yamaha Factory Racing

Photo by: Gold and Goose Photography / LAT Images / via Getty Images

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.