MotoGP will get another British rider for 2011, as Tech 3 Yamaha have just announced that Cal Crutchlow will join the satellite Yamaha team for 2011 and 2012.

Crutchlow has signed a two year deal to race for the Tech 3 team, and will replace Ben Spies who moves up to take Valentino Rossi’s seat in the factory Yamaha team in 2011.

Crutchlow currently rides for Yamaha in WSBK, and also has an existing sponsorship deal with Monster Energy, which undoubtedly helps ease the financial details of his transition to MotoGP, and ensures that he slots in well with the existing commercial environment of the Tech 3 team.

Crutchlow will probably pair up with Colin Edwards who is likely to retain his place in the Tech 3 team for one more year.

Cal Crutchlow
“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. They are a very professional team with a lot of experience and I’m sure they will be able to help me develop even more as a rider. I am under no illusions about how difficult this challenge will be. But I have always loved a challenge and I’m relishing this one. To think I will be racing against the likes of Valentino Rossi, who I grew up being a massive fan of, is a really exciting prospect and I can’t wait for 2011.”

Herve Poncharal – Team Manager
“I am delighted that a rider of Cal’s calibre will ride for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team. He has shown with his World Supersport success in 2009 and with a series of outstanding performances in World Superbikes this year what an exciting prospect he is for the future. I think he is ready to test himself against the very best in the world and I’m really looking forward to working with him. He is a very talented rider and he has an unbelievable desire to succeed. Ben has proven this year that with talent, hard work and determination you can make a successful switch from World Superbikes to MotoGP. I have no doubt that Cal has the potential to emulate Ben’s success in the future. I am sure the combination of Cal, Yamaha and Tech 3 will be a strong one and I can’t wait to start this exciting new adventure in our history.”

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