The 2018 British MotoGP at Silverstone was rained off after bad weather deemed the conditions to be too dangerous to race in.

Saturday’s afternoon practice session had been interrupted after Spanish rider Tito Rabat suffered leg injuries after crashing at Stowe corner. The Avintia Ducati rider was one of many crashers after a sudden deluge soaked the track and he was injured after being hit by Franco Morbidelli’s Honda, which had also gone down in the conditions.

The track dried sufficiently to allow qualifying to take place for the MotoGP and Moto2 races, with the supporting British Talent Cup race taking place in glorious sunshine in the evening, however with rain forecast for Sunday afternoon, the schedule was changed and the main race brought forward to a morning start.

Sunday warm-ups went ahead as planned, however the early arrival of the heavy rain saw proceedings delayed after riders deemed the track too slippery after making their way around to the grid. The programme was delayed several times but with the rain failing to abate, the race organisers – in consultation with the riders – made a decision to call off the races.

Britain’s Cal Crutchlow, one of the pre-race favourites, spoke for everyone when he expressed his disappointment at the cancellation of the event. He said: “I’m devastated not to be able to race at my home Grand Prix, it was very disappointing that today went how it did with regards to the weather situation. The safety commission decided that we delayed and delayed all day and then decided finally that the track condition was not safe to ride due to standing water on the asphalt. But it was a very, very sad day for the fans and I’m truly sorry for them having come out in force to support me and all the MotoGP racers. We’re just sorry we couldn’t put on a show, as always I would have tried my best and I will try my best in the next Grand Prix also.”

Silverstone bosses have advised that they will contact all ticket holders this week.