MotoGP: Crutchlow has shoulder surgery

Cal Crutchlow has had surgery on arthritis in his shoulder following the end of the MotoGP season. The operation both removed a metal plate inserted when he broke his collarbone in 2011 and attended to arthritis in his left shoulder. It was carried out by Professor Len Funk at Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle, UK.

"I had arthritis in my left shoulder after a crash I had in 2010 and I also had a plate in there from my crash at Silverstone in 2011," Crutchlow explained. "I needed to get the arthritis cleaned out because in warmer conditions I didn't have an issue, but in the cold, it was a bit painful. And the plate has finally been removed.

"Now I feel much better and want to thank Professor Len for his excellent job."

Crutchlow is switching from the works Ducati team to LCR Honda for 2015, and had his first test with his new outfit at Valencia last week.

MotoGP has now embarked on a winter break that runs until testing resumes at Sepang next February.