Miller would have been “natural call” to replace Pedrosa

With Pedrosa out of action after breaking his collarbone in a practice crash last weekend at Motegi, Honda has called up former champion Nicky Hayden to stand in for the Spaniard at Phillip Island.

There had been speculation prior to the announcement that Honda could promote Marc VDS rider Miller – who is contracted directly to the Japanese factory – to a works Repsol bike for the weekend, although the Australian himself said he hadn’t even considered the possibility.

But, speaking in the pre-race press conference, Crutchlow said he was surprised Miller wasn’t offered Pedrosa’s bike, while explaining that his obligations to the LCR team prevented him from making a temporary switch to the factory team.

Asked if he was disappointed that he wasn’t asked to replace Pedrosa, Crutchlow said: “Obviously we know there’s, not a conflict of interest, but I ride for LCR. It’s as simple as that.

“As much as I help the factory team over the year and do some testing for them… we also are sponsored by Monster, they have a different energy drink sponsor [Red Bull].

“I thought the natural call was for Jack to be racing at his home Grand Prix on a Repsol bike, I don’t get to make the call but that’s just my opinion.”

He added: “It’s good to see Nicky back also, it will be an entertaining race. Hopefully there’ll be a few Hondas fighting at the front this weekend and it would be good if he could join the party as well.”