Source: Supplied.

An electronics failure has been confirmed as the cause of LCR Honda rider Cal Crutchlow’s crash in Qatar’s opening round of the 2016 MotoGP title race.

Crutchlow had experienced difficulties with the new unified electronics package throughout practice, and despite positive progress in qualifying, the same problem ultimate put him out of Sunday’s race.

“I’m extremely disappointed, but that’s an understatement to be honest,” a dejected Crutchlow commented post-race. “We had some electronic problems during the weekend and again in the race.

“The bike didn’t have a clue where we were on the circuit. It seemed to be reading the wrong sectors, so in the last sector it thought I was in the first sector and so on. This was why I crashed.

“I’m disappointed for my team because we all worked hard all weekend and I felt we could have got in amongst the front five that got away, but I just couldn’t accelerate onto the straight. I don’t know why it was, but we will investigate later and hope to be back fast in Argentina.”

Lucio Cecchinello (LCR Honda team principal) added: “It’s a shame for Cal’s crash tonight as he was running at a strong pace and improving each lap, closing in on Vinales and Pedrosa. However, we are still having some issues with the new electronics and this caused Cal’s crash.

“We are working very hard with HRC to overcome these issues and find a direction. Now we look ahead to Argentina where Cal had a great race last year and scored a podium! Thanks to all our sponsors for their great support as always”.

The team will analyse the vital data they have accumulated over the first weekend of a long, 18-round championship, with the hope they uncover something before the second event of the season in Argentina in two weeks’ time.