MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow close to Aprilia deal for 2021
It is understood that Cal Crutchlow has pre-signed a contract with Aprilia for 2021.
Cal Crutchlow is understood to have signed a pre-contract with Aprilia for 2021 to race with the Noale factory meaning he is not allowed to sign for any other teams or negotiate with them.
The major other player in this situation, Andrea Dovizioso, is now out of the picture with Aprilia confirming they cannot afford to meet the salary demands of the Italian, who is instead jetting off to Yamaha as their 2021 test rider.
This means that Cal Crutchlow is on a home run to Aprilia, aside from one problem, Andrea Iannone, Iannone is currently banned from racing due to a failed urine sample provided at Sepang 2019, he is currently in the middle of a trial with the Court of Arbitration for Sport which has been postponed once again.
Iannone is looking to have his 18-month ban from racing removed, whereas the World Anti-Doping Association want to see this increased to 4 years. Aprilia have confirmed they are waiting patiently for Iannone but cannot wait forever, if they cannot sign him for 2021, they will move on and continue with Crutchlow, however, if Iannone can win his case and race once again, Aprilia will choose Iannone and Crutchlow will be out of the picture and likely face retirement from MotoGP after being pushed out of the LCR Honda squad by a decision made by Honda and not Lucio Cecchinello who wanted to continue with Crutchlow.
We will find out more in the coming weeks with Iannone’s trial set for this month.
Featured image – www.motogp.com
