Features 11 Apr 2013

Rewind: Cal Crutchlow in 2010

In this edition of Rewind we revisit the career of Cal Crutchlow as he climbed the rungs of World Supersport and World Superbikes.

Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow showed in pre-season testing and the opening grand prix of the season that his satellite machine can mix it with the might of factory Yamaha and Honda.

The Brit qualified his YZR-M1 in second place at Losail and threatened the podium before a small mistake saw him run wide and lose touch with the leaders; he would eventually finish fifth.

Still, it is a strong start to the season for the credentialed racer who joined the grand prix paddock in 2011 after a solid sole season in World Superbikes in 2010 following his World Supersport Championship win.

Crutchlow made selected appearances in the Supersport ranks in 2005 and 2006, before contesting two events aboard a Honda Superbike in 2008 where he managed a second-place race finish on home soil at Donington.

10 podiums and 10 pole positions from 14 starts in 2009 saw him secure a hard-fought Supersport title on Yamaha’s 600cc machine before stepping into the saddle of a Sterilgarda Yamaha R1 for 2010.

It would be his sole season on a Superbike, with three race wins and 10 podiums helping him to fifth place on the standings and opening the door to the grand prix paddock.

Following in the footsteps of former Sterilgarda Yamaha rider Ben Spies, Crutchlow took a direct step into MotoGP, finishing 12th in his first season. The highlight was a deserved fourth place finish in Valencia.

2012 saw marked improvement as the likeable English rider came to grips with the bike and white-hot pace. Crutchlow was unlucky to only emerge with two podiums – both third places – after showing strong form all season long.

Paired with countryman Bradley Smith for 2013, Crutchlow has already shown a solid synergy with the Yamaha and will be a certain podium contender as the season plays out.

Click here to read Alex Gobert’s post-race interview with Crutchlow after his final World Superbike showing in Magny-Cours in October of 2010.

Cal Crutchlow on track at Kyalami during his final World Superbike season. Image: Yamaha Racing.

Cal Crutchlow on track at Kyalami during his final World Superbike season. Image: Yamaha Racing.

Recent