Rider Profile: Cal Crutchlow

Never has a satellite rider made such an impression at the start of a season in MotoGP like Cal Crutchlow. The Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider is in his second season in the premier class of motorcycle racing, mixing it with the big boys including the likes of Rossi, Stoner, Pedrosa, Lorenzo and co, and he currently sits fourth in the Championship after three rounds.

2011 was a learning year for the Coventry-based rider, having to grow accustomed to a number of brand new tracks in the heat of the battle, but this year he looks much more at home and his race-long battles with the likes of team mate Andrea Dovizioso and Ducati’s Nicky Hayden – himself a former World Champion – have shown that he has the determination.

This has been echoed further still by two front row starts, and holding provisional pole for the Estoril Grand Prix in Portugal for almost half an hour before he got edged back right at the end.

Crutchlow’s move to MotoGP followed the World Supersport championship in 2009 where he won five races and took ten poles from fourteen rounds. Then a successful debut season in World Superbikes with the factory Yamaha team where he finished fifth overall, and took pole, the fastest laps and the wins at his home round at Silverstone.

Before making the move onto the world stage, Cal began in British Supersport and then British Superbikes, debuting in 2007. He finished ninth that year, followed by third the year after having battled with the likes of Shane Byrne throughout the season.

Crutchlow’s Career Achievements:

1999 – UK Junior Challenge Champion

2000 – Aprilia RS125 Challenge – 5^th

2001 – Aprilia RS125 Challenge – Winner

2002 – Junior Superstock Challenge – 4^th

2003 – Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup – 2^nd

2004 – British Supersport Championship – 10^th

2005 – British Supersport Championship – 3^rd

2006 – British Supersport Championship – Winner

2007 – British Superbike Championship – 9^th

2008 – British Superbike Championship – 3^rd

2009 – World Supersport Championship – Winner

2010 – World Superbike Championship – 5^th

2011 – MotoGP – 12^th (Top Rookie)

At Bikestop, we stock the replica Cal Crutchlow helmet from Arai.