Britain’s Cal Crutchlow believes that Jack Miller was the natural choice to replace Dani Pedrosa at this weekend’s Phillip Island MotoGP and wasn’t disappointed not to get the call up.

Crutchlow is contracted to LCR whereas Miller is an HRC rider plus the Isle of Man resident is also a Monster rider whereas Repsol are backed by Red Bull.

“I’m not disappointed. Obviously we know I ride for LCR and it's as simple as that. As much as I've helped the factory team over the year and I do some testing for them and give them information, I'm also a Monster Energy athlete and they have a different energy drink sponsor,” Crutchlow said at the track.

“I thought the natural call to be honest was for them to call Jack, to be racing at home on a Repsol bike. Obviously it's not down to me, that's just my opinion.

“It's good to see Nicky back also and it's going to be an entertaining weekend. We can obviously see there's going to be quite a few Hondas challenging at the front this weekend, so it'd be good if he could join the fight as well.”