Cal Crutchlow

Cal Crutchlow (born 29 October 1985) is an English professional motorcycle racer who retired from regular competition after the 2020 season.

In early 2017, the RAC awarded Crutchlow the Torrens Trophy, an accolade made in recognition of "outstanding contribution to motorcycling in the United Kingdom".

[7] He had football trials with Coventry City and Aston Villa as a youth, but after a knee injury chose to concentrate on motorcycle racing.

[9] He was runner-up in the 2003 Yamaha R6 Cup behind Tommy Hill, who earned a factory sponsored ride in the British Superbike series for this achievement.

[10] For 2007 he made his debut in the prestigious British Superbike Championship, with the Rizla Suzuki team alongside four-time runner-up Chris Walker.

He took two wins in the season, and finished 3rd overall in the championship, beating Tom Sykes by two points after the Yorkshireman had a late mechanical failure in the final round.

On 23 September 2008, it was confirmed that Crutchlow had signed a deal to ride for the Wilco Zeelenberg-managed Yamaha factory team in the 2009 World Supersport Championship.

[16] He finished in the top four at every race until a mechanical failure while leading at Brno, and found himself in a two-way championship dice with surprise package Eugene Laverty on a Parkalgar Honda.

[17] However, at Magny-Cours after an intense start Laverty crashed, but picked his bike back up to leave him 19 points behind Crutchlow with 1 race at Portimão left.

[21] Crutchlow took his first two World Superbike wins at Silverstone, after battling with Ten Kate Racing rider Jonathan Rea, and as a result climbed from tenth to fifth in the standings.

In Losail, Crutchlow secured 3rd position on the starting grid, and went on to achieve 4th place ahead of teammate Andrea Dovizioso, matching his previous best finish in Valencia last year.

Starting at the back of the grid, Crutchlow raced with characteristic determination, and finished in a highly commendable 6th place.

On 2 August 2013 it was announced that Crutchlow had signed a two-year deal with the factory Ducati team, to partner Andrea Dovizioso.

A malfunctioning transponder caused the electronics of his Ducati Desmosedici to behave strangely during the first race in Qatar, where he finished in sixth place.

[36] Later the same day, it was announced that Crutchlow had signed for LCR Honda for the 2015 season, riding the factory-specification RC213V,[37] replacing Stefan Bradl.

[38] Crutchlow started the 2015 season with CWM LCR Honda by taking seventh-place finishes in Qatar and Austin.

[40] In the process, Crutchlow achieved LCR's first podium since Stefan Bradl finished second at the 2013 United States Grand Prix.

In November 2020, it was announced Crutchlow was contracted for the 2021 season as a test rider with the Monster Energy Yamaha factory team replacing Jorge Lorenzo.

[50] In late August 2021 he also rode for the Yamaha factory team at the British Grand Prix as a replacement, finishing in position 17.

Crutchlow riding for Honda in the 2008 British Superbike Championship
Crutchlow celebrating a victory at the Nurburgring in 2009
Crutchlow took his first World Superbike race wins at the Silverstone round in 2010
Crutchlow battling with Valentino Rossi at the 2013 French Grand Prix , where he finished second
Crutchlow (left) with Ducati teammate Andrea Dovisioso
Crutchlow at the 2015 Catalan Grand Prix