Cal Crutchlow fears fresh left shoulder injury

British rider Cal Crutchlow fears he might have damaged the left collarbone he broke at his home race in Silverstone last year after he suffered a heavy fall in opening practice for this weekend’s Indianapolis clash in America.

Heavy overnight rain meant the opening practice session took place in far from ideal conditions, with the grip available well below normal levels.

Damp patches also littered small parts of the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Crutchlow believes he was caught out by one after falling heavily at Turn 13.

He landed heavily on his left shoulder and fears he might have cracked the bone he broke when he crashed out of practice at Silverstone 14 months ago.

The 26-year-old told MCN: “It really hurt. It was a big crash and we still don’t know what went wrong. It wasn’t anything to do with the bike or me. We had a slide that was being held by the electronics as these bikes do and I never moved anything and the next thing I was going to the moon. I think we hit a wet patch and I am sore. I’ll have some checks on my shoulder because I think I might have re-broken my collarbone. The plate hasn’t moved or bent but underneath it feels like it might be cracked again. It is not causing me any real pain. It could be the swelling but I landed on the shoulder and it is pretty sore. It was at Turn 13, which is obviously my lucky number. Normally you can have long slides out of there and control them but I hit something and it was a bit stupid.”

Crutchlow finished the morning session in seventh position but with conditions significantly improved for the afternoon 45-minute practice, the former World Supersport champion capitalised on the extra grip available.

He was able to lap 2.2s faster and he climbed into sixth position with a best time of 1.41.055.