Sachsenring MotoGP: Crutchlow fears 'hardest race' due to injuries

The Briton suffered two heavy crashes in practice aboard his Tech 3 Yamaha, but bounced back to claim second in qualifying.

It is not the first time this season he has had to recover from setbacks early in the weekend - he rode to second at Le Mans despite suffering a shin fracture in practice - but Crutchlow believes this weekend is the worst he has felt.

"I would say this weekend is the toughest race I've had riding injured," he said. "We had two massive crashes yesterday, two of my biggest in MotoGP. My body is really badly beaten up.

"I don't feel very well because of what happened yesterday, I had some big bangs to head and abrasions to my arms. I took a calculated decision and thought we had to try and ride today, and it was a good job we did."

Despite his delight at splitting the factory bikes of Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi, Crutchlow concedes that finishing there will be a tough ask.

"It's good to be back on the front row with Valentino and Marc 100 per cent and me really not," he added.

"The podium tomorrow is going to be very, very difficult. But I'm pleased, the team is doing a very good job and we can take some positives from this.

"It's going to be a long, long race, but I'll do my best."