CAL CRUTCHLOW has set his sights on a podium finish in the MotoGP race in front of his home fans at Silverstone on Sunday.
Crutchlow has exceeded expectations this season and sits fifth in the points standings ahead of the race at the Northamptonshire circuit.
The Monster Tech 3 Yamaha rider, who lives on the Isle of Man, has proved to be a class above his fellow countrymen in MotoGP this season and has finally given real hope to British fans that they have a genuine challenger for honours.
British fans are expected to brave the poor weather on Sunday and Crutchlow hopes to give them something to cheer about.
“I’m really looking forward to my home race at Silverstone where I hope to be battling for the podium again in front of my home fans,” he said.
He will be hoping to do better than last year at Silverstone when he crashed in practice and suffered a broken collarbone, ruling him out of the race.
One man who is backing Crutchlow to do well at Silverstone is his team manager Herve Poncharal after several strong races this season which have seen him just miss out on a podium spot.
“We are sure he will be battling for the podium again at his home race at Silverstone,” said Poncharal.
Crutchlow is currently five points in front of multiple world champion Valentino Rossi but 59 behind leader Jorge Lorenzo who this week signed a new two-year contract with the factory Yamaha squad.
Lorenzo leads second-placed defending champion Casey Stoner, on the Repsol Honda, by 20 points.
Stoner rocked the MotoGP paddock earlier this season when he announced he would retire at the end of the current campaign.