Cal Crutchlow to join Ducati on a two-year deal

Cal Crutchlow has sealed a two-year deal with Ducati and will be replacing Nicky Hayden. Uptil now, Crutchlow was with the Tech 3 team.

Crutchlow has had a good year so far, with four podium finishes and his first pole coming this season.

Despite having quite a good run at Yamaha’s satellite Tech 3 team, he was dissatisfied with lack of equipment parity between Tech 3 and the works team.

Crutchlow was always interested in getting into a factory team, which may be one of the reasons for the latest development.

There have been some structural changes in Ducati after its acquisition by Audi in 2012.

Ducati has not been in good form of late; it hasn’t won since 2010 and none of its riders have taken the podium this year, with Andria Dovizioso’s fourth place in France the best they could get.

Cal Crutchlow’s replacement at Tech 3 team is expected to be Pol Espargaro, who is another major MotoGP contender.