Crutchlow passes with flying colours!

Honda's race ace, Cal Crutchlow, passed his motorcycle test on Friday - and then promptly collected his all-new Honda CB1000R, launched at dealers across the country that very day.

The 22-year-old racer from Coventry, currently lying in second place in the Bennetts British Superbike Championship with the HM Plant Honda team, knew full well that now was the time to pass his motorcycle test before the Second European Driving Licence comes into effect from October.

Cal said, "I've got such a busy schedule with racing and other events, but I knew I had to get my Direct Access course and test done sooner rather than later. I was so worried during the build-up to the actual test - doing the theory test and then doing the CBT on a little CG125 learner machine. I had to wear a fluorescent bib and said, 'you are joking?' - it was like being a novice racer again, but I did what I was told and wore it. I was pleased to get my CBT at the beginning of the week, I mean, what if I had failed that as a Superbike rider!?"

"I can see why people love riding on the roads," Cal continued. "It's an exhilarating way to travel, although it's completely different to riding on the track and you have to be so aware of potential dangers, rather than going as fast as you can and trying to win a race! I also had to get used to the road-style 'one-down, five-up' gearbox, and not the other way round which I'm used to with my race-style gearbox, but I only fluffed a few gear changes, thankfully only at low speed!"

Finally on Friday, Cal passed his full motorcycle test with flying colours. "I can honestly say that riding on the road being followed by an examiner was more nerve-wracking than lining up on the grid alongside Shane Byrne, Leon Haslam and Michael Rutter! But, I PASSED! And I only had three minor faults so that's not bad either! I'm so relieved to have finally passed my test and I would recommend it to everyone, whether for commuting or for just leisure riding - especially now, before the test changes happen from October.

"A lot of people may think that learning to ride is just getting on a bike for a few days and learning how to operate it. I've really realised how important your CBT and Direct Access training is as it teaches you not just about how to ride, but more importantly, how to ride safely and be totally aware of what is going on around you with all other road users. It certainly has heightened my sense of awareness on the road now, whether I'll be riding my bike or driving my car."

Cal was then the first person in the UK to pick up keys to a brand-new CB1000R, which was launched across the country in Honda dealers on Friday. He explained, "I knew the first thing I wanted to do was go out and ride the awesome new CB1000R, which was only launched today so that was great timing. I've loved the looks of this machine since I first saw it in the flesh at the NEC in December. I think it's going to be the perfect machine for me on the roads as its got power, performance and attitude - just like my race bike - but will be good for both long distances but also for just riding around town.

"I've got my licence so now there's no turning back. I'm hoping that my skills on track will help me to be an even safer rider on the roads, but I'm also aware that I now need to gain more experience on the road on two wheels and maybe even do an advanced riding course as well."