All posts tagged lcr honda
LCR Mechanics go to school in Japan
Before the start of any MotoGP racing season, pit crews are sent to the manufacturers to learn about the inner workings of the new season’s bikes, that included assembling, set-up and maintenance.
During the Wrooom event, Ducati’s MotoGP mechanics led by Jeremy Burgess were in Bologna getting their schooling on the 90% new GP12, while Cardion AB’s crewchief Marco Grana and his technical team spent two weeks at Ducati, and all Honda teams also get the same schooling regarding their prototype machines.
LCR Honda MotoGP team who will be field reigning Moto2 champion Stefan Bradl this season, spent 10 days in Japan earlier this month at Honda’s R&D center located in the Saitama Prefecture (around 30 minutes from Tokyo city centre) where crew members learned about the new technical features of the RC213V bikes and checking out every single component studying the assembly schemes, checking the maintenance procedures to fine tune the RC213V prototypes ready for next week’s Sepang tests.
Bradl will be riding the RC213V for the first time in Malaysia, as during the post Valencia race tests he rode LCR’s 800cc machine.
Stefan Bradl picks new racing number
After the FIM and Dorna decided to retire Loris Capirossi’s #65 to honour his long and fruitful career, reigning Moto2 World Champion Stefan Bradl who took the title with the same number (actually it was his sponsor’s 6,5%) had to choose another number for his upcoming debut season in MotoGP and announced via his Facebook page that he’s picked number 6.
“Dear Fans! Now it´s official, my new racing number is “6″. I´m sure it´s a lucky number :-) See you soon!
Bradl signed a two year contract with LCR Honda after having first tested the RC212V during the Valencia MotoGP test last November, and will be getting his first taste of the Honda RC213V at Sepang on January 31st.
LCR Honda's comedy book (w/video)
Ever wonder what those hard working MotoGP teams do during a GP weekend? All work and no play you may think, but when you see this comedy photo book that Lucio Cecchinello’s LCR Honda Team put together to wish everyone a Happy New Year, you’ll think differently.
The video contains some of the funnier and embarassing pics they’ve taken of each other over the years, but have never before released before to unsuspecting fans.
Enjoy.
Best Wishes from Lucio Cecchinello
We’d like to post Lucio Cecchinello -LCR Honda’s team owner and manager - seasons greetings because it isn’t the usual Christmas card or video, but an interesting and different view point from a manager who runs a small team and who fights every day to stay and compete in the the expensive world of MotoGP racing.
Dear Friends,
Some weeks ago our 2011 “World Tour” came to an end. A year at full speed, with many sporting challenges that we always tried to face with commitment, excitement, and in every case with sportsmanship.
The end of every year represents an important moment to analyze the past, to make some assessments and, in addition, to plan new targets.
Stefan Bradl undergoes foot surgery
2011 Moto2 World Champion Stefan Bradl underwent surgery yesterday. The new MotoGP rookie who recently signed a two year deal with LCR Honda tweeted “today I had an operation on my left feet. Which was succesful. They removed a plate and six screws. Leave tomorrow.”
Bradl will have two full months to recover from surgery and be ready to ride at the Sepang test at the end of January, where he will finally get to ride the Honda RC213V after testing LCRs 800cc machine during the post season test at Valencia.
Stefan Bradl signs a two year deal with LCR Honda
It was just a matter of waiting a few days after the Valencia test and the final contract details to be ironed out, but as expected Moto2 World Champion Stefan Bradl will be riding for LCR Honda, and for two seasons.
The 21-year-old German champion was expected to stay in Moto2 for another season after Keifer Racing’s sponsor Viessmann refused to fund the exorbitant leasing costs of a Honda RC213V, but the untimely death of Marco Simoncelli changed everything, with Italian managers Gresini and Cecchinello having unexpectedly to find new riders, which gave Bradl a chance to test one of LCR’s 800cc machines.
“This is simply fantastic like a dream that comes true!” said Brad. “When I tested the RC212V in Valencia I realised that the LCR team is very professional and well organised so I am sure they will do their best to support me: making my debut in the premier class aboard the RC213V is great and I can not wait to get back on track.”
“Next year will be very important for the MotoGP; starting from next April the championship will be rich of new technical rules and participants. Together with Honda we have considered several riders and Stefan was one of our candidates. After the test in Valencia we were very impressed by his potential and his determination: Stefan is young and fast and he just clinched the Moto2 World Title so we believe we can grow together with the Team in the next two years. He already knew the technical staff and today I am happy to give him our warmest welcome in the LCR Team!” said Lucio Cecchinello.
Stefan Bradl to test LCR Honda RC212V
Yesterday we posted that 2011 Moto2 World Champion Stefan Bradl had been gifted with a MotoGP test ride by Honda for winning the title, and it has now been confirmed he’ll be doing it out of LCR Honda team garage.
With Toni Elias being dropped (he should be back testing with Gresini’s Moto2 team where he won the first Moto2 championship title) it seems that Lucio Checchinello interest (he was seen talking to both Fausto Gresini and Livio Suppo) is now focused, not only Randy de Puniet but also on Bradl, with John Hopkins looking to be out of the picture.
“In a few days, together with our sponsors and Honda, we will make a final decision on the riders for 2012,” said Cecchinello. “Meanwhile, we welcome the request from HRC to provide our RC212V to Moto2 champion Stefan Bradl to give him the opportunity to try out a MotoGP bike.”
HRC wants Andrea Dovizioso in LCR Honda
Andrea Dovizioso has been a faithful Honda rider for almost a decade and this season he’s having his best MotoGP results ever and is currently third in the standings and just 25 points behind Jorge Lorenzo and he’s losing his factory ride.
It may seem bloody unfair to this pretty unassumingbut headstrong Italian, but the present economic situation is forcing HRC to cut back on their factory bikes and Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli are pitted against each other to see who will get that extra bike.
Simoncelli is content to stay with Gresini as long as he has factory support and Honda doesn’t make him dismember his present technical crew, while for Dovizioso it would be an unfortunate step backwards, so he’s had his manager in talks with Herve Poncharal’s Yamaha Tech3 team, with Rizla Suzuki, but it seems Dovizioso isn’t interested in riding the GSV-R as there’s still no official word of what Suzuki will be doing or using next year and also with Ducati. Going to Borgo Panigale is always tempting for an Italian, but realistically a Desmosedici has become a career killer for any rider (except Stoner) who wants to win and be on the podium (which is the same reason that Jorge Lorenzo refused Ducati’s offer back in 2009).
Sill HRC is doing all they can to keep the two riders close to their bosom and have asked Lucio Cecchinello (LCR Honda) to take Dovi in and are promising that while the new RC213V won’t be a 100% factory, but it will be constantly updated during the season. Cecchinello has stated that he is trying to organize the team for Dovizioso’s arrival but the move requires more funding than the team can currently count on, however if the plan should fall through the team manager has set his sights on John Hopkins, but he’ll need Honda’s approval.
Source | moto.it
Ben Bostrom confirmed for wildcard ride with LCR Honda at Laguna Seca
We mentioned the other day that there was a rumor that Ben Bostrom received an offer from LCR Honda to wildcard during the MotoGP race at the Red Bull U.S. Grand Prix at Laguna Seca this weekend, well that rumor has now been confirmed.
Fans will be able to see Bostrom in action not only during the AMA Superbike round with his Michael Jordan Motorsports Suzuki GSX-R1000, but also on a Honda RC212V 800cc prototype (with Bridgestone tires and carbon brakes) for the first time.
This is the second year in a row that the LCR team has enlisted an American racer to ride the team’s bike in MotoGP competition. Last season, Bostrom’s MJM teammate Roger Lee Hayden substituted for LCR’s injured Randy De Puniet at Laguna Seca (he finished 11th).
Continue reading: Ben Bostrom confirmed for wildcard ride with LCR Honda at Laguna Seca
Toni Elias to be axed from LCR Honda?
Reigning Moto2 World Champion Toni Elias is having a nightmare year in MotoGP on board the RC212V, and the results this disastrous season has become so conflictual, that the Spaniard, not only wasn’t allowed to test on Monday at Mugello, but has been given three races to turn his situation around before getting the boot, because the team is at risk of loosing their much needed sponsors.
Talking to Catalunya Radio, LCR Honda press officer Oscar Haro said that Elias has three races, Sachsenring, Laguna Seca and Brno to turn the critical situation around or he could face the axe, “Mugello was a disaster, Toni realized he didn’t go well. In Germany, the settings will be restored to the ones that HRC says and the the team will do the technical part and Toni the role of rider. The RC212V is more than a competitive bike and the only one that isn’t going well is his.”
Haro is refering to the fact that Elias has been on the outs with his crew chief Christophe Bourguignon, who has been trying to persuade the Spanish rider to use certain set-ups, with Elias demanding others; with the result that his crew is no longer forcing their opinions on the him, but they certainly haven’t been helping, leaving him to work out his set-ups by himself, but now Elias will have to bow down to the needs of Cecchinello and his sponsors or end up without the saddle, that Carmelo Ezpeleta insisted he have.
Who could eventually replace Elias? That’s a million dollar question, because finding a suitable substitute rider mid- season who has experience on a 800cc MotoGP is no mean feat, as teams with injured riders can attest.
Source | motocuatro.com andmotomatters.com
LCR Honda working on a CRT bike
At a quick glance this may look like Toni Elias’ 2011 RC 212V Honda, but it isn’t underneath the fairing. This is Lucio Cecchinello’s CRT bike that could take part in the 2012 Moto1 championship.
The bike is 70% complete and Max Temporali (Mediaset Premium’s MotoGP commentator) took it out for a spin at the Castelletto di Branduzzo circuit.
The bike is currently equipped with a CBR1000RR engine and the standard chassis (which should have to go based on the CRT rules) and just the front end says Temporali, between last year’s set of Öhlins forks, Brembo carbon fibre brakes and Marchesini wheels is worth 50,000 euros and the team is currently working on a longer swingarm and complete bike should go for about €150.000.
The FIM and Dorna should release the names of the CRT teams tomorrow.
Source | mediasetphotogallery.it and sportmediaset.it
LCR Honda team presentation at Venice Casino
The city of Venice with the marvellous backdrop of it’s annual Carnival that recreates the atmosphere of the event as it was lived under the Serenissima Republic, hosted the LCR Honda MotoGP Team’s presentation at the reknowned Venice Casino.
Last Friday the team with Lucio Cecchinello and Toni Elias presented the #24 RC212V that he’ll be using this 2011 season and also on display were some other Honda’s at the casino.
In addition to the delicious Venetian food and champagne the diners have celebrated surrounded by the famous bunnies and the beautiful nineteenth century ladies, admiring the Burlesque show, playing at the gaming tables and dancing till the dawn at Palazzina Grassi in the unique Carnival atmosphere.
Toni Elias:
“I flew here from Barcelona with my mum and my dad and we were all surprised because the party was unique! Venice is a wonderful city and the event was incredible. I could feel the affection of the Team guests and I was very happy because I met them for the first time. I must thank Lucio and the team staff for their efforts because this party was a real success. On the stage I joked with Lucio about our past challenges when he was a 125cc rider and now he is my Boss! We are leaving for Qatar in a couple of days and I hope to return all this trust to Lucio, his Team and all the fans. It won’t be easy but I am very stubborn (Lucio knows my temper!) and the premier class already gave me several successes that’s why I am very confident”.
Continue reading: LCR Honda team presentation at Venice Casino
Follow us
Most commented posts
Advertising
Are you interested in advertising on twowheelsblog?
Advertise on Blogo.it.
twowheelsblog is part of the Blogo.it network of blogs. Contacts About us.
© 2005-2010 Blogo.it, P. IVA 04699900967, some rights reserved under a Creative Commons license.