The MotoGP series will gain a British rider next year, as Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team rider Cal Crutchlow will join the Monster Energy Tech 3 Team at the end of the 2010 World Superbike season. Crutchlow follows in the footsteps of fellow Brit James Toseland and current Tech3 rider Ben Spies.
Crutchlow joined the Yamaha family in 2009, winning the World Supersport Championship on an R6 before joining the World Superbike team in 2010. The 24yr old Brit has fought at the sharp end of the field for most of the season, taking a double victory at Silverstone for his home race.
“I'm delighted we had the opportunity to work with Cal to take the World Supersport title last year and compete this year in World Superbike,” said Laurens Klein Koerkamp, Yamaha Motor Europe Racing Manager. “On one side we would have liked to go for the World Superbike title in 2011 but given the opportunities at this moment for Yamaha and Cal it is a great move.”
“Again we are showing that our policy of bringing young riders up through the various racing classes to the top tier in MotoGP is proving successful. Cal deserves this opportunity, he is a highly professional racer and completely dedicated to training for success. We believe he has what it takes to fight for success at the highest levels.”
Crutchlow added, “Being part of the Yamaha Sterilgarda World Superbike Team has been fantastic. When I first signed with Yamaha for the 2009 World Supersport Championship we went on to win the World Championship and the natural progression was to move to World Superbike. It was an honour to be asked to be part of the team and to remain as part of the Yamaha family.”
“Now I'm again taking another step and I am being brought through to the Tech3 Team as they have done with other riders such as Ben Spies in the past. I first rode for Yamaha in 2003 in the R6 Cup so have a great history with them. Moving to MotoGP is a great opportunity for me, it was an honour to be asked by Herve Poncheral and for Yamaha to back me. I intend to do the best job I can with the team next year, be humble, learn and enjoy the experience.”
