Cal Crutchlow

The 2009 World Supersport Champion, Cal Crutchlow, is making the transition to the MotoGP series after a successful campaign in the World Superbike Championship.

Cal Crutchlow's position in the racing world rose quickly after claiming the 2009 World Supersport title, his second prestigious 600cc championship in four years. Cal burst onto the scene in 2006, claiming the British Supersport crown and being pushed into the British Superbike series the following year.

Powerhouse Rizla Suzuki drafted the youngster to ride the GSX-R in ’07, but he struggled most of the year. His first and only podium was a third place in the season finale. During the 2008 season he changed to the HM Plant Honda and established himself as a contender by winning twice and nearly beating his teammate, Leon Haslam, in the championship chase.

The move to the Factory Yamaha World Supersport team for 2009 turned out to be one of the best of his young career. In his rookie season he was part of an epic championship battle between himself and Parkalgar Honda’s Eugene Laverty. The two riders battled back and forth at every round, each suffering setbacks and the occasional bad-break. But when the dust settled at the final round it was Crutchlow who took home the 2009 World Supersport title.

In 2010 Crutchlow returned with Yamaha, but this time made the step up to the World Superbike Championship. It was an outstanding season for the Brit as he finished fifth overall with three victories and another eight podiums.

After his success in WSBK, Crutchlow has joined the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team in the MotoGP series for 2011.