LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow is set to miss this weekend’s Catalan Grand Prix after a fall in the paddock caused ruptured ankle ligaments, having missed the last two MotoGP races recovering from arm pump surgery.
Crutchlow was at the Circuit Catalunya in Barcelona today ahead of this weekend’s race when he tripped and fell while exiting the COVID-19 testing offices set up in temporary structures outside the main entrance of the paddock.
Immediately returning to Doctor Xavier Mir’s medical centre, where he had already been that day for examination of his arm, he was diagnosed as having ruptured ligaments in his left ankle. The injury was confirmed by Dr. Max Ibanez, a member of Dr. Mir’s team.
In a statement released by the LCR Honda team, it confirmed that he will nonetheless attempt to ride on Friday to gauge his condition.
He was already fighting a battle against injury after undergoing arm pump surgery last month and then needing further time to recover.
Struggling with the painful condition allied to the physical nature of the 2020 Honda, he underwent an operation after the Styrian Grand Prix to have the fascia covering on the muscle in his arm removed.
However, the wound has struggled to heal as he attempts to compete in the ultra-compressed 2020 MotoGP season, forcing him to sit out the past two races at Misano as he attempts to heal up.
The arm pump problem has been further compounded by a broken scaphoid bone sustained in warm-up for the opening race of the year at Jerez – missing the race because of the injury – leading to an injury-plagued season that means the three-time race winner currently sits 21st in the championship standings.
It’s also not the first time that Crutchlow has sustained an injury away from the track that has affected his MotoGP performance.
He needed surgery ahead of the 2017 San Marino Grand Prix after slicing a tendon in his hand while cutting a block of parmesan cheese at home in Italy, and damaged ligaments in his right knee ahead of the 2019 German Grand Prix after slipping on wet cobblestones while adjusting the saddle of his bicycle.
