Toseland and Crutchlow to WSB

Yamaha has officially confirmed that James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow will form an all-British Yamaha WSB front for 2010, as exclusively revealed by MCN.

Cal moves up from the World Supersport championship where he’s currently leading by two points, and Toseland swaps seats with Ben Spies who will take his Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP ride.

28-year-old Toseland said: “I’m looking forward to return to World Superbikes. I want to show I’m still the rider that can win world titles. Of course there is some disappointment at losing my opportunity in MotoGP as I believe the challenge was still achievable, but the R1 has proven to be beyond the strongest bikes in Superbike and I know many of the Yamaha World Superbike Team guys.

“I’m going to pick up where I left off and give 100% to achieving good results with the team. Within Superbike there were a few options available to me, however the way Yamaha have treated me since I joined them has been outstanding. They gave me a great opportunity in MotoGP, but now I do wish Ben all the best in his campaign and my aim is to continue Yamaha’s success in World Superbike.”

24-year-old Crutchlow said: “I’m happy to stay to be staying with Yamaha. This will be my second year of my two year contract as agreed when I started in Supersport this year. Moving up to World Superbike will be a great challenge, I’m looking forward to it and am under no illusion as to how hard it is but I intend to do a good job.

“I’m also looking forward to riding with another Brit. Ben is obviously doing really well this year and I wish him luck for the last two WSB rounds and next year in MotoGP. It’s great to be working with Yamaha again in 2010.”

Further reading:
Yamaha | James Toseland | Cal Crutchlow | Ben Spies | R1