Alex Marquez to LCR, Crutchlow out

The fallout from Pol Espargaro's move to the Repsol Honda team next season will see Alex Marquez switch to LCR Honda, at the expense of Cal Crutchlow.

Espargaro's arrival means MotoGP rookie Alex has lost his factory team place alongside older brother and reigning champion Marc, without completing a racing lap.

However, Alex has been given the consolation of a two-year factory contract extension by HRC, albeit while moving to LCR.

But that means either triple MotoGP race winner Crutchlow or Japanese rider Takaaki Nakagami would need to leave the satellite team and HRC has confirmed the Englishman is out at the end of 2020:

'HRC would like to extend their thanks to Cal Crutchlow for his diligent and tireless work since joining HRC in 2015. With three wins and 12 podiums, the British rider has been a valuable asset on and off track – a constant source of excellent feedback for the engineers and a key part of developing the Honda RC213V in recent years. HRC wish him all the best in his future endeavours.'

Crutchlow: 'My story in MotoGP is not finished'

As well as being the only dry satellite MotoGP race winner since 2006, Crutchlow is the only British rider on the grid and, with BT Sport one of MotoGP's main TV broadcasters, Dorna is expected to help find an alternative seat for the Englishman.

Aprilia is currently the most likely option, depending on the outcome of Andrea Iannone's appeal for a doping suspension. Prior to joining LCR and Honda, Crutchlow raced for Tech3 Yamaha and spent one season at the factory Ducati team.

Meanwhile, Alex Marquez said of his new deal: “I am very proud to announce my renewal with Honda Racing Corporation. HRC gave me the opportunity to arrive in MotoGP and I am glad to join the LCR Honda Team at the end of 2020 and compete in a big team with great experience in MotoGP.

"I want to thank HRC and the LCR Honda Team for their trust in me to be able to continue in the Honda family and I will work hard to prove their confidence with results. Now, I am eager to start the season in Jerez and I am completely focused to give my best this year.”

HRC President Yoshishige Nomura added: "HRC are happy to continue working with Alex Marquez through the learning process in the MotoGP category for the next two seasons.

"After deep consideration and a thorough analysis of the current situation, we believe Alex has a great opportunity to grow in the premier class with full factory support inside the LCR Honda Team.

"We believe that by following this path over the next three seasons, we will achieve the results both HRC and Alex look for.”

Nakagami, the only Honda rider using a year-old bike, is yet to officially re-sign for 2021.