Delay 'could recharge Rossi, Crutchlow batteries'

A change is as good as a rest, but might a rest turn out to be as good as a change for MotoGP stars Valentino Rossi and Cal Crutchlow?

Both are considering whether to start a new chapter in their lives by retiring at the end of this season.

But the pause imposed by the coronavirus outbreak will probably turn out to be the longest Rossi or Crutchlow have been away from a racetrack since their world championship - or indeed racing - careers began.

Some, including Crutchlow's LCR Honda team manager Lucio Cecchinello, feel the unexpected chance to recharge the batteries means it's more likely both will now decide to continue.

At the very least, they will get a much clearer idea of life without racing - for better or for worse.

"Essentially yes... I think this pause can recharge the batteries a little, especially for riders who may have been thinking about stopping racing," Cecchinello told SkySport.it.

"I think this moment can make them think again, because they may realise that without the bike they get bored of being at home doing nothing.

"I do not rule out Valentino Rossi asking for a year's contract extension at Yamaha. "

While Crutchlow's LCR future will depend on the Englishman's intentions and subsequent discussions with HRC, Cecchinello is already confident that Takaaki Nakagami will remain for 2021.

The Italian also doesn't envisage the likes of Franco Morbidelli (Petronas Yamaha), Francesco Bagnaia (Pramac Ducati) or Joan Mir (Suzuki) leaving their present teams.

However, further contract announcements are unlikely until racing begins and the state-of-play becomes clearer.

"If we could start in late June or early July it would be very positive," Cecchinello said of a possible calendar. "It is important for us to do at least half of the championship.

"If we could get back on track in July, I think we would have time to do 12-14 races."

Officially, MotoGP's first event of the season has only been pushed back to Le Mans in mid-May, but further postponements are inevitable.