Cal Crutchlow signs Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP deal

British rider Cal Crutchlow has signed a two-year MotoGP deal with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad.

As MCN first reported over a month ago, the 24-year-old will join Herve Poncharal’s French-based squad having first been made a verbal offer to quit World Superbikes when he visited the Czech Republic MotoGP in Brno in mid-August.

Crutchlow, who won the 2009 World Supersport title at the first attempt with five wins and ten pole positions, also held talks with factory Suzuki boss Paul Denning.

But the lure of following James Toseland and Ben Spies into the French-based Tech 3 squad proved too much to resist for Crutchlow, who had an offer to stay with Yamaha’s factory World Superbike squad.

He was also the subject of a serious bid from BMW in World Superbikes.
Crutchlow became hot property in 2010 with a series of blisteringly fast performances on board Yamaha’s factory YZF-R1 machine.

He has claimed five pole positions so far but the highlight of his impressive campaign was undoubtedly a majestic double victory in his home race at Silverstone in early August.

Crutchlow was understandably elated to have signed a deal to join MotoGP and he said: “It is hard for me to explain how excited I am about the prospect of riding in MotoGP next season with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team. Joining MotoGP is like a dream come true for me, and I want to thank Yamaha and Herve Poncharal for giving me such a wonderful opportunity.

“Yamaha have been fantastic to me and without their incredible support I wouldn’t be where I am today. And I’m really looking forward to working with the Tech 3 Team.”

For full coverage including Crutchlow’s exclusive thoughts on his MotoGP switch, see Wednesday’s (September 8) issue of MCN.