Crutchlow to Tech 3 - MotoGP

Sterilgarda Yamaha World Superbike rider Cal Crutchlow has been confirmed as making the switch to MotoGP for the 2011 season and will join the Monster Yamaha team in a two-year deal.

The move has been the subject of much speculation in recent weeks but official confirmation has only just been released. Crutchlow move after winning just two WSB races and it is not yet clear who his team-mate will be.

“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," said Crutchlow.

"And I'm really looking forward to working with the Tech3 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 ex citing prospect and I can't wait for 2011.

“When I first signed with Yamaha for the 2009 World Supersport Championship we went on to win the World Championship and the natural progression was to move to World Superbike. It was an honour to be asked to be part of the team and to remain as part of the Yamaha family.

"Now I’m again taking another step and I am being brought through to the Tech3 Team as they have done with other riders such as Ben Spies in the past. I first rode for Yamaha in 2003 in the R6 Cup so have a great history with them. Moving to MotoGP is a great opportunity for me, it was an honour to be asked by Herve Poncheral and for Yamaha to back me. I intend to do the best job I can with the team next year, be humble, learn and enjoy the experience.”

and the word is now melandri will replace him at yamaha instead of movign to BMW

I think Cruthlow is a great racer, but I dont think he will be as strong as spies was in his first year, I would have like to see Iannone or one of the other moto2 riders get the spot and Crutchlow to stay in wsbk for another year.

What another great white hop for British motorcycle racing

I thought they'd re-signed Colin Edwards...

Yeah Crutchlow is replacing Spies isnt he?

blah blah blah and it is not yet clear who his team-mate will be.

This is the bit i wasn't sure about.

Spies is going to Fiat Yamaha, Crutchlow to replace him at Tech3 but I thought they had re-signed Edwards for another year...

Edwards has resigned mate. Crutchlow is his new team mate