British MotoGP: Cal Crutchlow cleared to race after crash

Britain's Cal Crutchlow has been cleared to race in Sunday's British MotoGP by the circuit medical team after a heavy crash in practice.

The Tech 3 Yamaha rider lost control of his bike at Silverstone's Chapel corner on Saturday and injured his left foot.

Crutchlow, 26, was taken to hospital and missed qualifying, but was given the all-clear by doctors on Saturday night.

He then passed a fitness test at the circuit on Sunday morning.

"Full extent of the injury is I have a broken and dislocated left ankle. It's back in place now, but it is the worst pain I've had, so will try my best in the race," he tweeted.

Crutchlow will start the race from the back of the grid.

BBC MotoGP commentator Matt Roberts said: "It's brilliant news that Cal is fit to ride because it looked pretty sketchy on Saturday.

"I know he is in a lot of pain and it is going to be a long, tough race for him but he was determined to put on a show for the British fans and we're all right behind him.

"To even consider racing a motorcycle at 200mph in his condition is mindblowing."

Crutchlow arrived at Silverstone in fine form, having finished in the top five in four of the season's five races to lie fifth in the drivers' standings.

But the Tech 3 Yamaha rider failed to get his bike hooked up around the high-speed turns of Silverstone and finished seventh and eighth respectively in Friday's two practice sessions.

On Saturday morning, Crutchlow, who was furious with his performance on Friday, crashed at the fast-left hander before the long Hangar Straight while on an in-lap.

A scan at the circuit's medical centre showed no fracture, but the 26-year-old was still suffering some discomfort and an increase in swelling in his left foot.

Crutchlow underwent a CT scan at a hospital in Oxford on Saturday afternoon with results confirming that there was no fracture.

The doctors were also able to reduce the swelling around his heel and ankle before passing him fit.

Despite missing qualifying, the Tech 3 Yamaha rider is allowed start Sunday's race from the back of the grid because he registered a lap in practice which was within 107% of the fastest rider in the same session.

Crutchlow, who looked in pain as he walked around on crutches in the paddock on Sunday morning, completed nine laps during the warm-up and finished 10th fastest overall.

Full information for British MotoGP on BBC TV

Saturday, 16 June (all times in BST)

1255 -1605 - Red Button and Online: MotoGP Silverstone Qualifying

Sunday, 17 June

1105-1230 - Red Button and Online: Silverstone Moto2

1230-1430 - BBC Two + HD and Online: MotoGP: Silverstone. Also commentary on warm-ups and Moto2 from 0845-1255 on 5 live sports extra. Race commentary from 1300-1400 on BBC Radio 5 live.

1430-1530 - Red Button and Online: Silverstone Moto 3