Still chasing that first MotoGP win, Cal Crutchlow made the switch to MotoGP after a successful career on Superbikes that included winning the British Supersport Championship in 2006, a spell in British Superbikes, the 2009 World Supersport title and then World Superbikes. After three years and six MotoGP podiums with Monster Yamaha Tech3 he joined Ducati in 2014 alongside his former team-mate Andrea Dovizioso. Official MotoGP profile
here
Switch to Ducati hasn't been entirely stress free
"I wonder if these will be the usual questions? Will there be anything exciting like 'can you suck your own toe?'"
Can you?
"I don't know..."
As the highest profile British rider, is there a lot of pressure for you to perform at Silverstone?
"No, not any more. As I'm not the fastest British rider it doesn't matter. I've passed that pressure onto Bradley, he can have it all! This year we have five fantastic British riders to share it between, but I've been here on my own and when your back is against the wall and the crowds expect a result it's difficult. The British fans are always the same - if you lose they hate you, if you win they love you. In other countries they are a bit different and will support you win, lose or draw. I can't complain, I'm the same with my football team!"
How is Silverstone for you?
"Every year I seem to hurt myself! But I've also had some amazing times here - I won a British championship here and two WSB races. It either goes good or bad. The year I broke my ankle I really believed I would be on the podium. My form before and after was good enough, so that was a missed opportunity. Silverstone either gets on with me or doesn't."
They say the Ducati goes well in the wet, do you want it to rain?
"No, I want to improve in the dry. People say 'are you praying for rain?' and I say no, I want to improve in the dry. Sure, the Ducati is good in the rain, and so am I, but I want to go better in the dry."
MotoGP? More like Motocross
How is this going to happen?
"You tell me. If I knew I'd be going quicker, we are just having a bad year. That's not to say it won't turn around, but at the moment I haven't got the feeling I want from the bike and we can't work out why."
Are you looking forward to the switch to Honda next year?
"I'm going to a good bike with a good team."
Have you followed the Honda on track and seen its strengths?
"Nope, I can't see it for more than one corner. It's pointless to think about it. Switching bikes is a big challenge and so is working with a new team and set of mechanics. Vale and Jorge as well as Marc and Dani have been with the same team for ages, which helps them. I'm excited about the switch but it will be hard."
Can you take your mechanics with you?
"I'd like to take Danielle my crew chief, but I'm not sure. We have worked together for four years in MotoGP and he knows how I ride and work, which would help. However Honda isn't going to give you a bad team so you need to be open minded with your new team."