At the Czech Grand Prix, Monster Yamaha Tech 3’s Cal Crutchlow finished on the podium for the first time in his MotoGP™ career, setting a new milestone as far as British achievements in the premier-class of Grand Prix go.

The Brit, who had been close to the podium earlier in the season and has consistently shown the pace to challenge for it finally broke his MotoGP™ podium duck to become the first British rider on the step since the four-stroke formula was introduced in 2002. The last British rider to finish on the podium in the premier-class was Jeremy McWilliams, who finished third in the 500cc race at the British Grand Prix at Donington Park in 2000 riding an Aprilia. Crutchlow’s feat also made him the youngest British rider to be on the podium in the premier-class of Grand Prix racing since Niall Mackenzie finished third at Laguna Seca in 1988.


In addition, his grid position of second in Brno was also the best qualifying performance by a British rider in the MotoGP class since James Toseland was second fastest qualifier on his GP debut in Qatar in 2008. And following on from his blistering form in the official MotoGP test in Brno after the race, where he topped the timesheets, the Brit will no doubt be hopeful of repeating, if not bettering, his achievement when the grid descends on Misano in just over a week’s time.

He will also be motivated by wanting to close the gap to fourth placed teammate Andrea Dovizioso, who currently lies 28 points ahead in the championship. If Crutchlow, on 122 points, manages to catch the Italian or score just 19 points more this season, he would have broken compatriot Niall Mackenzie’s 1990 points record when he finished fourth in the final 500cc championship table with a total of 140 points.

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