Multiple operations could rule Crutchlow out until 2019
Cal Crutchlow may not return to a MotoGP bike until 2019, as ongoing surgery after his nasty fall at Phillip Island threatens to cut his season short.
The LCR Honda rider crashed at over 220 km/h in Phillip Island's ultra-fast Turn 1 during yesterday's second free practice session, safety crews forced to transfer him to the paddock medical centre by ambulance.
He was swiftly diagnosed with a 'bimalleolar and anterior tibia part right ankle fracture' by the medical director, and air-lifted to hospital in Melbourne.
Early this morning Crutchlow underwent a first stage of surgery on his tibia, however there is more to come. He now faces a five-day wait before further investigation on the fractured malleoli in the lower part of the ankle, which will require further surgery.
His family left Europe last night to join him in Melbourne.
Motorsport.com understands that the ongoing surgery will keep Crutchlow in Melbourne for at least the next 15 days, and that missing the remaining two rounds of the season is highly likely.
That means he could feasibly not return to a MotoGP bike until pre-season testing in 2019.
Stefan Bradl is expected to replace Crutchlow at the final two grands prix of the season.
Crutchlow had been sitting fifth in the MotoGP standings and first of the non-factory riders. However missing the three upcoming races if likely to hand the non-factory bragging rights to Johann Zarco or Danilo Petrucci.
Share Or Save This Story
Toby Price explains 'unfortunate' Mitsubishi split
Supercars parity review begins
SRO set for bigger Australian GT presence
Cal Crutchlow heaps praise on Pedrosa-like Ai Ogura in MotoGP
Cal Crutchlow to ride through shoulder injury in “challenging” Balaton Park weekend
Cal Crutchlow reveals shoulder problem that forced early retirement from Italian GP
Can Diogo Moreira secure factory Honda promotion for MotoGP 2027?
Johann Zarco: “My ego is filled” after impressive MotoGP comeback in Aragon
Johann Zarco set to return at Aragon GP after terrifying Barcelona accident
"We are going to FIA": Grasser appeal rejected - no DTM champion at finale?
Guenther Steiner calls out Williams over F1 infrastructure complaints: "Crocodile tears"
Stefano Domenicali reveals bizarre Jimmy Fallon prank at Miami GP Michelin-starred dinner
F1 closing in on 1 billion fans as Stefano Domenicali hails female audience growth
How to make two MotoGP grids with a single qualifying session
What we learned from an emotional MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix
Are Aprilia riders making it too easy for Marc Marquez to win the 2026 MotoGP title?
What we learned from MotoGP’s decisive San Marino Grand Prix
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments