MotoGP Indy - Ducati a 'new motivation' for Crutchlow

Britain's Cal Crutchlow has spoken about his decision to switch from Monster Yamaha to the factory Ducati MotoGP team next season and said it will be a new motivation to bring the bike somewhere near the podium.

The Isle of Man resident will receive a rumoured $3m a year in the two-year deal but said the hardest thing to do was to call current team boss Herve Poncharal and tell the Frenchman he was leaving.

"There are pros and cons to everything. I think the most difficult decision was making the phone call to Herve. It was quite an emotional phone call for both of us and a difficult situation to be in. My team has been fantastic and we still have the rest of the year to try and make the best job we can," said Crutchlow, speaking at Indianapolis.

"It was a difficult choice to make because of that. I am pleased to have secured my future, definitely. My aim will be to do the best job I can for Tech3. I took my first podium with them and they stuck by me after a tough first year.

"I think that if there's anything else we can do it will be take a win. I don't know where that will be but I will definitely be trying. I've got nothing to lose, it doesn't matter where I am in the championship.

"(Ducati) is a new challenge for me. We have done three years in MotoGP with Yamaha and they have been fantastic. Sometimes it is time for a change. The deal that was put in front of me I was happy with and there's no reason why I shouldn't change. It's a new motivation for me as well.

"Obviously, it might be a little different position-wise as such but my motiviation is to try and bring the bike to the front. There is a long time from now until I ride the bike so a lot can change and hopefully it will change before I get there."

By David Miller

Image by Bonnie Lane