Meregalli reveals Yamaha were ‘desperate’ to sign Crutchlow
Added on Tuesday, November 24th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Meregalli reveals Yamaha were ‘desperate’ to sign Crutchlow
Yamaha Sterilgarda team manager Massimo Meregalli believes that Yamaha’s rider line-up for 2010 is stronger than the one that won the manufacturer its first rider’s championship, despite the loss of Ben Spies.
Meregalli believes that the all-British rider line-up of James Toseland and Cal Crutchlow is stronger than the 2009 team that saw American rookie Spies secure his and Yamaha’s one and only WSB rider’s championship last season.
Yamaha have replaced the MotoGP-bound Spies with former Tech 3 rider and WSB champion James Toseland, but Meregalli has claimed that Cal Crutchlow was another rider who they desperately wanted.
Crutchlow, who won the World Supersport championship with Yamaha, will partner Toseland in 2010 and the Yamaha boss has high hopes for the Coventry rider.
“Overall I think we’re stronger, because both riders are capable of fighting for the title. Toseland has returned to Superbike, determined to prove that opinions about him are mistaken,” Meregalli told the official WSBK website. “He wants to win his third title and I’m sure he will be one of the key protagonists.
“As for Crutchlow, we wanted him badly because we believe he is a true talent. What strikes me the most when I speak to him is that he transmits incredible self-assurance. It’ll be his first season in Superbike but I reckon he will be fighting up front with the top guys right from the start.”
Spies was partnered by British rider Tom Sykes, who was arguably the most disappointing of the British riders in 2009. Having been the only rider of those who made the step from BSB in 2009 to have secured a factory ride, Sykes was the only British rider who failed to pick up a podium in the ’09 season – something that Meregalli put down to a lack of confidence.
“Our bike this year was very well balanced,” he added. We are not yet at the top for power, by that I mean acceleration and top speed, but without a shadow of doubt it’s an excellent package. I have to say that maybe we suffered a bit on tracks with a rough surface but we’re working on this as well.
“Obviously Spies is a champion and has always been able to get the best out of the bike’s characteristics; Tom started off well then a few too many crashes undermined his confidence a bit. Having Spies as a team-mate however certainly doesn’t help.”
