Cal Crutchlow could miss French MotoGP race after qualifying crash
Cal Crutchlow has escaped "major injury" after his huge highside crash during qualifying for MotoGP's French Grand Prix, but a decision on whether he will race has yet to be made


The LCR Honda rider was thrown high into the air after losing the rear of his bike at the Garage Vert right-hander in the first phase of qualifying at Le Mans, and had to be stretchered away from the scene.
Crutchlow was first taken by ambulance to the circuit medical centre before he was transferred to the Centre Hospitalier du Mans, where he remains under observation after reporting of pain in his hip.
In a LCR statement, team owner Lucio Cecchinello confirmed Crutchlow escaped "major injury" but must remain in hospital for the time being as he awaits the outcome of a series of blood tests.
"The most important thing first of all, is that after examination both at the Le Mans circuit medical centre and here at the hospital in Le Mans, Cal has suffered no fractures or major injuries," said Cecchinello.
"However, before Cal can be discharged from the hospital, he must undergo a series of blood tests and get their results.
"We will await the results of these tests and reports before making any further decisions, and will endeavour to keep the media and fans updated as soon as we have more information."
Crutchlow provisionally qualified in 13th place for the Le Mans race, with his crash costing him the chance to advance from Q1.

Johann Zarco 'confused' by French MotoGP pole lap
Cal Crutchlow declared fit to race at MotoGP Le Mans after crash

Latest news
Why Honda and Yamaha have been left behind in MotoGP's new era
The once all-conquering Japanese manufacturers are going through a difficult period in MotoGP this season. With Suzuki quitting, Honda struggling to get near the podium and Yamaha only enjoying success courtesy of Fabio Quartararo, Japanese manufacturers have been left in the dust by their European counterparts. Key paddock figures explain why.
Who is Valentino Rossi’s newest MotoGP star?
Valentino Rossi’s protégés stole the show at Assen as Francesco Bagnaia stormed to victory to arrest a recent barren run. But it was the rider in second, on Bagnaia’s old bike, who had all eyes on him. Securing his and the VR46 team’s first MotoGP podium, Marco Bezzecchi has all the characteristics that made his mentor special
How Quartararo is evoking an absent MotoGP great in 2022
OPINION: Fabio Quartararo has seized control of the 2022 MotoGP world standings after another dominant victory as his nearest rivals faltered. And he is very much heading towards a second championship echoing how the dominator of the last decade achieved much of his success
The human importance of Marquez’s latest enforced MotoGP absence
OPINION: Marc Marquez will likely sit out the remainder of the 2022 MotoGP season to undergo a fourth major operation on the right arm he badly broke in 2020. It is hoped it will return him to his brilliant best after a tough start to the season without a podium to his name. But it’s the human victory that will far outweigh any future on-track success he may go on to have
Why Ducati holds all the power in its MotoGP rider dilemma
OPINION: The French Grand Prix looks to have made Ducati’s decision on its factory team line-up simpler, as Enea Bastianini stormed to his third win of the campaign and Jorge Martin crashed out for a fifth time in 2022. But, as Ducati suggests to Autosport, it remains in the strongest position in a wild rider market
The seismic aftershock left by Suzuki's decision to leave MotoGP
Suzuki's sudden decision to leave the MotoGP World Championship at the end of the season has acted as a stirring element in a market that had already erupted. Autosport analyses what this means for the grid going into 2023
How the real Ducati began to emerge in MotoGP’s Spanish GP
Ducati’s 2022 MotoGP bike has had a tough start to life and the expected early-season title charge from Francesco Bagnaia did not materialise. But the Spanish Grand Prix signalled a turning point for both the GP22 and Bagnaia, as the 2021 runner-up belatedly got his season underway after a straight fight with Fabio Quartararo
How Honda's praise for its 2022 MotoGP bike has turned into doubt
In a little over two months, Honda has gone from setting the pace in MotoGP testing with its new RC213V prototype to being at a crossroads - caused by the discrepancy in its riders' feedback. After a Portuguese GP that underwhelmed, serious questions are now being asked of Honda in 2022