Crutchlow won't be "pulling aside" for Marquez

Cal Crutchlow says he is “sure” he won’t be called upon to support Honda stablemate Marc Marquez’s title bid in the remaining four races of the MotoGP season.

Following a fifth win of the season at Aragon last month, Marquez has opened up a 16-point lead over Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso at the head of the standings.

Yamaha's Maverick Vinales also remains in realistic title contention, albeit with a 28-point deficit to Marquez to close with 100 still available.

LCR Honda rider Crutchlow – who signed a factory HRC deal earlier this year – is no longer a mathematical contender for the crown, lying ninth in the standings and 132 points down on Marquez.

However, when asked if he expected to play a supporting role to Marquez from now on, the British rider said he had not been asked to do so by Honda, and does not expect to be.

"I'm not in the championship, it's mathematically out of my reach," said Crutchlow. "But I won't be pulling aside, that's for sure.

"At the end of the day, I'm racing against them all. If Marc wasn't in the championship fight, or Dovizioso, do you think they'd think about [pulling over] if there was a chance for a good result?

"If you're battling at the front, surely they can respect we want good results as well. I haven't been asked [to support Marquez] and I'm sure I won't be.

"I don't know any rider in this championship that would want something gifted to them. If somebody loses the championship by a point or two because I finished ahead of them, they're not going to say, 'you should have pulled over'.

"Honestly, that isn't the kind of sport that motorcycle racing is."

Victory chances "running out"

Crutchlow won his first two MotoGP races last year, triumphing at Brno before repeating the feat at Phillip Island, but has yet to add to his victory tally in 2017.

Admitting that his chances of chalking up a third grand prix victory this year are "running out", the British rider says he has high expectations for his return to Phillip Island.

"Of course, I'll throw it in at Phillip Island and see what I get," said Crutchlow.

"When we tested there at the start of the year we had really strong pace. Me, Marc and Maverick were really strong, faster than we were last year, also.

"We'll see. I'd like to be on the podium at Phillip Island for sure. I'd like to win, but I think it will be more difficult than last year."