Cal Crutchlow’s return to MotoGP action at Silverstone ended in disappointment after the Castrol Honda LCR replacement rider crashed during the early stages of Saturday’s Sprint.
Starting 20th on the grid, the British rider was hoping to make the most of his home event, but his race came to an early end after contact with another rider on the opening lap.
Crutchlow explained that he hit the back of a rival after the rider appeared to make contact with another competitor.
“I hit the back of another rider. I think he had made contact with another rider, and I then hit the back of him,” Crutchlow said.
Despite the crash, Crutchlow was able to recover his bike and continue for a few laps. However, the damage eventually forced him to return to the garage and retire from the Sprint.
“I would have liked to continue, but after the crash I had to bring the bike back to the garage. I was disappointed because I felt we could have done a good job.”
Crutchlow escaped the incident without injury and remains focused on Sunday’s main race, where he will look to put the setback behind him and make a stronger showing in front of his home crowd.
“These things can happen on the first lap; it’s part of racing. We’ll try again tomorrow.”
