Alex Marquez in, Cal Crutchlow out at LCR Honda

Following his initial one-year deal with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) for the 2020 season that included the plum ride with Repsol Honda in place of the “retired” Jorge Lorenzo, HRC announced on 13 July that the 24-year-old had signed a two-year contract extension and will remain in MotoGP, but will spend the 2021 and 2022 seasons with the satellite LCR Honda Team, not Repsol Honda.

The Moto3 and Moto2 World Champion will replace Cal Crutchlow at LCR Honda, with Marquez’s place at Repsol Honda to be taken by Pol Espargaro, who signed a two-year deal with the premier factory team in MotoGP, also on 13 July.

“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,” Alex Marquez said.

“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.”

In announcing the end of Crutchlow’s time with HRC, Honda extended their thanks to the long-serving Brit for his “diligent and tireless work” since joining the LCR team in 2015.

Crutchlow’s time with LCR Honda has delivered three wins to date, including the Czech and Australian GPs in 2016, and the Argentine GP in 2018. The 34-year-old has also secured 12 podiums with LCR Honda, most recently at last year’s Australian GP.

HRC adds that Crutchlow, in addition to his on-track performances, has been a valuable asset off track and “a constant source of excellent feedback for the engineers and a key part of developing the Honda RC213V in recent years”.

No word on Crutchlow’s future – if any – in MotoGP had been announced at time of writing, with the only possible rides for 2021 being at Aprilia Gresini (replacing the suspended Andrea Iannone) and Pramac Ducati.