BRITAIN'S Cal Crutchlow sealed the World Supersport 600 title at Portimao this weekend in a display of calculated, level-headed riding.
The Coventry-based rider took fourth place in Sunday's race, his lowest placing all season, to secure the 2009 WSS title. The Yamaha man could have become embroiled in a battle for third place with Aussie ace Garry McCoy, but wisely chose to play safe, bringing the title home for team Yamaha.
Crutchlow’s team mate Fabien Foret dropped one place off the start line to eighth as the race got underway, and then spent the duration chasing down seventh placed rider Aitchison for the next spot. As the pace continued he was unable to catch him but was fast enough to keep his spot, crossing the line in eighth position. Foret takes eight points from the race, and so will keep his fifth place in the 2009 World Supersport Championship.
After the race, an emphatic Crutchlow said:
“Fourth is the worst finish I’ve had this year! Obviously I’ve had a couple of DNFs but when I’ve finished fourth has been the worst. I just wanted to bring it home. I didn’t need to push Eugene. He’s been riding really well all weekend and keeping the pressure on me. I didn’t want to get into any battles, I followed Kenan at the start but his pace was just too fast so I let him go. I let Gary past then settled in behind him and let him bring me home for the race so thank to him. It’s been a tough season and all credit to Yamaha they’ve done a fantastic job, I’m elated! I want to thank the team and all my sponsors for their support, and my family, my dad and my mum and Lucy my girlfriend who has put up with me!”
Crutchlow now joins MotoGP refugee James Toseland riding for Yamaha World Superbikes in 2010.
And we remember when he used to help his Dad vanning bikes around for the magazine!
