Crutchlow to Ducati Team for 2014

Crutchlow, who's been itching for a factory ride for some time now, and whose results this season certainly warrant a step up to factory machinery, will rejoin Andrea Dovizioso (who was his team mate in 2012) at Ducati Team in a two-year deal.

Crutchlow, currently sits fifth in the 2013 MotoGP championship riding for the satellite Monster Energy Yamaha Tech 3 team, and has never placed worse than fifth in the races he's completed this season. The 27-year-old has stood on the podium four times so far this season (two 2nds, two 3rds), but has yet to snare a race win in the premier class.

Crutchlow made his MotoGP debut in 2011 and picked up the accolade of Rookie of the Year, after winning the World Supersport Championship two years earlier.

Soon after the Crutchlow announcement, it was confirmed that Pol Espargaro will replace the Brit at the Yamaha Tech 3 squad next season.

The younger brother of MotoGP CRT frontrunner Aleix Espargaro, Pol is a contender for this year's Moto2 Championship, sitting in second place with three wins and two other podium finishes to his credit so far this season.

The (Kalex) Tuenti HP40 team rider will join Monster Energy Tech 3 Yamaha on a two-year contract.

image: yamaha-racing.com