Crutchlow: Honda not wrong to move Marquez out of factory team

LCR’s Cal Crutchlow doesn’t believe Honda was wrong in moving Alex Marquez out of its factory MotoGP team for 2021 before the season had begun, despite his recent form.

Cal Crutchlow, Team LCR Honda, Alex Marquez, Repsol Honda Team

The 2019 Moto2 champion was signed by HRC to replace the retiring Jorge Lorenzo for 2020 at the factory team, but was moved out of the Repsol-backed garage for 2021 before the first race of the year to make way for Pol Espargaro.

In the last two weeks, Marquez gave Honda its first podium of 2020 with a second in a wet French Grand Prix before repeating that performance in the dry at Aragon having fought for the victory with Suzuki’s Alex Rins.

HRC’s decision, then, could be seen as being too hasty, but Crutchlow, who will be moved out of LCR to make way for Marquez, disagrees with this.

“No, I think Honda jumped on their instincts,” Crutchlow said when asked if Honda made its decision too soon regarding Marquez’s future.

“They moved on their instincts of what they know and what they know about the championship. I don’t think there’s any wrong move. 

“Now, as you can see Alex deserves his seat in MotoGP, he definitely deserves his seat in the team he’s in.

“Now, I will say as you know, he’s on a Honda contract, he’s going to get a factory bike next year.

“I think my team is a very good team and I think he’ll do just as well in either team.

“Of course, there’s all these resources [at the factory team], but I’m sure he’s not going to worry for resources.”

Read Also:

Honda confirmed on Thursday ahead of this weekend’s Teruel GP that Crutchlow’s current teammate Takaaki Nakagami has signed a new multi-year deal to remain with LCR.

Crutchlow hopes Nakagami, who is Honda’s leading rider in the standings in fifth and 29 points from the lead, has “gotten a good deal” as he’s been “riding very well”.

“With regards to Taka, we all knew he was going to sign again with Honda,” he added. "Hopefully he’s got a good deal because he’s doing a good job this year.

“Having said that, he’s still not a podium finisher and he’s been riding very, very well. “There’s no doubt about that. Maybe this weekend he’s a podium finisher.” 

shares
comments

Related video

“Not fair” to impose team orders on Rins now – Mir

No team orders at Ducati despite Aragon GP bust-up

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

Prime
Prime
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing

Prime
Prime
MotoGP
Oriol Puigdemont

The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

Prime
Prime
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

Prime
Prime
MotoGP
German Garcia Casanova

How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team

How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years

How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years

Prime
Prime
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years

Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?

Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?

Prime
Prime
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne? Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?

How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

Prime
Prime
MotoGP
Lewis Duncan

How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Prime
Prime
MotoGP
Germán Garcia Casanova

How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races

Subscribe