‘Session by session’ improvements the aim for Crutchlow on MotoGP return

Cal Crutchlow will make the first of three consecutive MotoGP starts this weekend as team-mate to Valentino Rossi at Petronas Yamaha. 

With Franco Morbidelli out injured until after Silverstone, Crutchlow is replacing the Italian at both Austria rounds before his home race on August 29. 

That means a return to competitive racing for the first time since November last year in what was his final season with LCR Honda. 

Goals for the weekend are at a minimum as expected, however, Crutchlow is aiming to ‘improve session by session’ at a track that hasn’t been one of his favorites. 

Crutchlow said: "I’m really looking forward to being back on the grid and getting into the swing of a race weekend again, although it’s going to feel very different to the job that I’ve been doing this year as Yamaha’s test rider. 

"The circuit at Spielberg isn’t one that I’ve enjoyed too much in the past, however I did finish fourth in 2018 and that was a good result. 

"It’s not a fast and flowing circuit, it’s somewhere where you need to be quick and very precise. 

"I don’t have a target as such when it comes to results, my main aim will just be to try to improve session by session. 

"I’ll be working with Ramon Forcada, who knows the Yamaha bike very well. I think it will be good as Ramon was with Yamaha when I was. I’m sure it will go well; I just want to make sure that I do a good job for the team."

Crutchlow is not the only test rider and former Grand Prix winner who’s in action this weekend, as KTM’ Dani Pedrosa is competing as a wildcard.