Yamaha signs Crutchlow for World Supersport

From Yamaha Racing

The Yamaha World Supersport team has signed British Superbike rider Cal Crutchlow to partner Frenchman Fabien Foret for the 2009 World Supersport Championship. The 22-year-old British rider is highly competitive and is no stranger to championship success.

In the current British Superbike Championship Crutchlow has scored a respectable 10 podiums, including two wins and three pole position starts. He is fourth in the standings on 265 points, chasing third place fellow Brit Tom Sykes, who also steps up to Yamaha next year as he joins the World Superbike team.

Crutchlow’s career has been nurtured by Yamaha from the start. It was through The Virgin Mobile Yamaha R6 Cup that he first had the opportunity to showcase his talents, taking second place in the 2003 competition. He moved on to race in the British Supersport Championship, finishing 10th in 2004, third in 2005 and winning the championship in 2006.

"I’m really looking forward to the experience," Crutchlow said. "To go into what is in my eyes the top team in the World Supersport paddock and have the opportunity to challenge for a world title with Yamaha is very exciting. I’m really looking forward to next season."

Added Yamaha World Supersport team manager Wilco Zeelenberg, "We’ve been talking to many strong riders over the last couple of months and have been following Cal’s progress this year in The British Superbike Championship, he’s really impressed us. We’re convinced that his riding style will suit our YZF-R6 very well.

"He’s a very good Supersport rider. We know that coming from Superbikes to Supersport riders don’t have any issues with speed. The 2009 championship will be tough again and we have seen him prove on track that he is happy to get in the middle of the pack and fight for the win."