Cal Crutchlow is the son of a former motorcycle racer. Although more interested in soccer than fossil-fuel-burning two-wheelers, Cal did not actually take up the sport until age 11. Evolving into a professional, he competed in the British Supersport Championship, snagging the title in 2006. Crutchlow graduated to the prestigious British Superbike Championship in 2007 and placed ninth overall. In 2008 he piloted an HM Plant Honda in the series, scoring two wins and finishing third overall in the championship standings. Late last summer it was announced that Crutchlow had been appointed by Yamaha’s officially factory team to represent them in the 2009 World Supersport Championship. An immediate sensation in the brutally competitive series, the Monster Energy-motivated Englishman had won three races and held the championship lead as the series moved past the halfway mark in Misano, Italy.