As documented by Mat Oxley last year, Crutchlow has often been the rider affected by injury, having had more than 150 crashes in his career. He has described riding through the pain of his injuries, including the nerve problems from his right ankle, which was crushed in his 2018 Phillip Island accident, and having to use a stairlift at home.
This year, he missed the season-opener after a practice crash, as well as both Misano rounds after complications that followed arm pump surgery.
Lin Jarvis, Yamaha Racing’s managing director, said that Crutchlow would enhance the team’s 2021 testing programme after the interruptions of this year. “[His] wealth of experience, coupled with Cal’s honest no-nonsense approach, will surely benefit us greatly as we strive to improve our YZR-M1 bikes with a full testing programme next year.
“We had planned and hoped for a strong programme this year with Jorge. Unfortunately, our Factory Test Team soon had to put their plans on hold as the Covid-19 pandemic started.
“We wish Jorge all the best in his future endeavours, and we thank him for his many years of collaboration with Yamaha.”