Between the Madrid GP in 1993 and that of Valencia in 2003, Lucio Cecchinello participated as a driver in 149 Grands Prix, all in the 125 cc category. He won 3 in total and reached the podium 7 times, with 12 pole positions to his credit. He then created his own team, LCR, and ran Casey Stoner, Carlos Checa and Cal Crutchlow, without forgetting Randy de Puniet and more recently John Zarco.
Lucio's company LCR X-Racing Sam is located at 7 rue du Gabian in Monaco, and like everyone else it has suffered from the crisis. “We were forced to face a surreal situation. We are a private team and we were able to get advances from sponsors, through which we paid the initial costs, and then we received the green light from Honda to suspend the motorcycle rental costs. We were therefore able to manage the situation, by extending the extension of the credit line with the bank. It's not a dramatic situation, but we have to calibrate everything carefully." declared the team manager based in Monaco to GPOne.com.
“For now, our level of concern also relates to 2021. Company sales forecasts for next year are currently negative and the motorcycle industry is heavily affected by all of this. »
Would you like Danilo Petrucci to be part of LCR?
“Right now we have Cal as our driver and our priority is to renew with him. The choice is not only ours: we have an official bike, so HRC has an important voice in the choice of the rider. I think Danilo can adapt well to the Honda style, he kind of has that way of driving that Stoner had, he also has the strength to tame an RCV. I would like to have it, because it could be the first time for an Italian driver with LCR. »
What is the deadline for renewal with Cal?
“Cal decided to retire after the Phillip Island accident. In my opinion, this is a normal reaction for a runner who knows that he is at the end of his career. Perhaps he was thinking of stopping because the operation to put his ankle back in place was long and difficult. »
“But then he considered extending his contract for another year because he still doesn’t feel finished. I too have sometimes thought about continuing for a few more years and then devoting myself to something else, but I now understand how much our sport means to me. »
Do you think Miller could get closer to Stoner?
“I believe Casey is the greatest talent of the last 20 years. Even without adequate and specific preparation with the motorcycle, he could interpret the vehicle to perfection by taking the best trajectories to bring the motorcycle to the limit. He was capable of doing truly extraordinary things, making us dream”
“I still remember the pole on his debut in Qatar: he arrived at the circuit at the last minute because of a problem with his plane, it was Friday morning, there were 17 minutes left before the start of the race. session. He set the fastest time in the first session, then took pole the next day. »
“Miller has all the characteristics to ride a large displacement motorcycle. At the time, Suppo wanted to focus on him, although I think Jack deserved more support. I never understood why they took him under contract without giving him the maximum support. To date, Miller has shown that he has all the cards in hand to fight with the best. »
What do you think of Valentino?
“It’s amazing to see how Vale’s passion for motorcycles and his motivation are inexhaustible. Vale has nothing to prove to anyone, because for two decades he has been the best. He certainly has no financial problems. Among other things, we must admire the help he gives to the young people at the Academy. I know for sure that he refused large sums of money, with five zeros, to accommodate pilots who are financially ready to pay for their own access to the Academy. »
Do you think Vale wants to prove to Yamaha that they made a mistake by not confirming him in the factory team?
“It may also be a motivation, but at the same time it is true that Yamaha will provide Vale with maximum support and assistance. I think there was a transparent conversation between the manufacturer and the driver about 2021."
Have you already had offers from other manufacturers?
" Of course ! Every time a builder starts a project, after a few years, he realizes that he needs to expand to acquire more information. I was contacted by KTM and Aprilia, while in 2016 there was a discussion with Suzuki. Our priority has always been to renew with Honda for historical reasons and the interest of our sponsors. »
Do you see Iannone on the Honda?
“Iannone has great potential, I think he can also get along well with the Honda. But I am convinced that with the Aprilia, he can do well and in Noale, we believe in him. »
What do you think of Marquez's four-year contract?
“On the one hand, it's something new, on the other hand, it's clear that Honda wanted to block the way for other manufacturers. HRC is a reality that has a very personal relationship and I think that Márquez will always be a Honda man. I think Marc has no interest in changing teams. It's something that, in a way, unites him and Doohan. »
Photos © LCR Honda, title: Valentino Rossi VR46 Official
