Tech 3 Yamaha thrilled to field all-British MotoGP line-up

Monster Yamaha Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal says he is thrilled to be entering the 2013 MotoGP world championship with an all-British line-up featuring Cal Crutchlow and Bradley Smith.

Crutchlow has penned a new one-year deal to stay with the French squad after his dream move to Ducati’s factory squad collapsed after lengthy discussions.

Smith will graduate from Poncharal’s Tech 3 Racing Moto2 squad on a two-year deal for 2013 and 2014. He had signed a long-term deal with Tech 3, which included a two-year YZR-M1 1000cc deal at the Motorland Aragon race last September.

Poncharal said: “I am really happy to confirm that Cal and Bradley will be with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team in 2013. Cal has done an amazing job this season and I am convinced that he is only going to continue to improve. He is a fast rider but also a big personality and we were determined to keep him with us for next season. We know there was a lot of interest in him, so for us to capture his signature is a big positive. Bradley has demonstrated his high potential in Moto2 and I have every confidence in him that he will be competitive in MotoGP. Of course he faces a very difficult challenge because the level now in MotoGP is incredible. But he has a great attitude and a big desire to make this new chapter in his career a successful one. What I can assure him is that Tech 3, Yamaha and Monster will give him 100% support to help him show his potential. I have no doubt this is the strongest line-up we could have put together for next season and we can look ahead to 2013 with high expectations.”