Crutchlow signs for Ducati

August 1, 2013 Aaron Rowles 0 Comments Cal Crutchlow, Crutchlow, Ducati, MotoGP, Yamaha

Cruthlow will be hoping he can replicate the success of Casey Stoner on the Desmosedici.

Cal Crutchlow has signed a two year deal to ride for the Ducati factory team in 2014 and 2015.

Crutchlow will take the reins at a factory team for the first time in his MotoGP career, as he replaces the outgoing American Nicky Hayden. Cal had been very vocal about his desire to ride for a factory team, and Crutchlow now has his wish.

The Brit had remained coy on his future, but Yamaha boss Lin Jarvis, said Crutchlow was likely to decide which team he would be riding for in 2014 before this month’s Indianapolis round.

However today, now Spanish website motocuatro.com were the first to report the deal, and we are expecting official confirmation from Ducati by the weekend.

Crutchlow was unhappy with the way he was treated by Yamaha, and he saw himself being booted out by Moto2 title challenger Pol Espargaro despite Pol having no MotoGP experience.

The move will see Crutchlow team up with his Tech3 team mate from 2012, Andrea Dovizioso for at least one year in red. Dovi out rode Crutchlow when they raced together at Yamaha, however so far this season Crutchlow has out performed his Italian couterpart.

Whether Crutchlow see’s himself as the man to tame the Ducati, or if he see’s his aggressive riding style, similar of that to Casey Stoner who did win on the Desmosedici as the reason behind the move we won’t know just yet. With Audi’s continual backing both Crutchlow and Ducati will hope that Cal is the catalyst to change Ducati’s fortunes.

With the move being made official, Ducati have released a press statement which read:

Ducati has reached an agreement with Cal Crutchlow that will have the Briton campaigning the 2014 and 2015 MotoGP race seasons with the Ducati Team. Crutchlow will race alongside Andrea Dovizioso. The British rider and the Italian, who were team-mates in 2012, will work on developing the Desmosedici and growing Ducati’s MotoGP project.
The 2009 World Supersport champion and 2011 MotoGP Rookie of the Year, Crutchlow is presently enjoying his strongest GP season to date, sitting fifth in the championship points standings. He has posted four podium finishes in the first nine races, and he earned his first MotoGP pole position at the Dutch TT.
The end of the 2013 season will also mark the completion of Nicky Hayden’s five-year professional relationship with the Ducati Team. Ducati would like to thank Nicky for his contributions during that time, and everyone on the team and at Ducati Corse looks forward to giving him and Andrea their full support over the second half of the 2013 season.

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