About Luigi Ciamburro / Corsedimoto.com
Cal Crutchlow's first assessment of the season, the swinging arm issue and the difficulties of maintaining a team.
First a mechanic, then a 125cc rider with seven victories and finally a team manager capable of giving his MotoGP debut to a prestigious name like that of Casey Stoner (it was in 2006), Lucio Cecchinello is a history book that has still many pages to write, an icon of the paddock who, on all occasions, knows how to speak his heart with sincerity and his mind with availability. A character who does well at the World Championship, always available to everyone, who does not hide behind this wall of “medieval” diplomacy and imperatively asks you to give him “you”. With the boss of the LCR team, we discussed the intricacies of contracts, made a provisional assessment of the start of the season to Cal Crutchlow, discussed the relationship with Honda and the difficulties of managing a satellite team in MotoGP.
In this period of turbulence in the driver market, where is Takaaki Nakagami's contractual situation?
“Nakagami has a contract until the end of 2018 with an option for 2019. Honestly, I don't know the terms of the contract or when the option expires, but I can say that it is more reasonable to think that Honda will renew shortly for 2019. This is not a decision within my control, but I am almost certain that the contract will be renewed.
First provisional assessment of Cal Crutchlow's start to the season?
“Positive, although there were ups and downs. We all know that Cal is a very brave driver, in the sense that if I have to compare him to one of the drivers who were my heroes growing up, I would compare him to Kevin Schwantz, in the sense that he is a pilot who can't hold back: when he sees a hole, he goes for it and often makes a masterpiece, but other times it's a disaster. The results are positive because they finished fourth in Qatar, an excellent result for a team like ours. In Argentina he won a race, his third career victory. In Texas he crashed because he was aiming to get on the podium, he was sixth when he crashed trying to get rid of Dovizioso and not let Valentino escape. In Spain he took pole position, he tested well, then unfortunately he crashed. In France, he finished eighth despite his difficult condition because he had fallen during practice. At Mugello, a decent sixth place despite the difficulties with the front tire and considering that we told him: “I ask you to absolutely finish the race”. We can say that he has always been the best privateer, so the results are positive for us.”
Crutchlow complained a few weeks ago about the lack of a carbon swingarm. How did the absence of this element affect his results?
“We never had the carbon swingarm to test it and get feedback with its riding style. It seems to slightly improve the feel with the rear end and at maximum lean there is a bit more grip. However, I don’t think we would have had any great races with the carbon swingarm.”
Why hasn't Honda given you the carbon swingarm yet?
“Honda produced three prototypes and put two at Marquez and one at Pedrosa. These prototypes having been crowned with success, now “prototyping” must move into production. This working process to replicate the carbon swingarm in series is very complex because it depends not only on Honda but also on Honda's suppliers. The quality of the product for them must be beyond any imaginable threshold, which is why Honda expects suppliers to deliver this material. It’s not bad will from Honda towards us, but Pedrosa also has one and is waiting for the second.”
Did you expect Jorge Lorenzo to arrive at Honda?
“I didn't expect to see Lorenzo on the Honda, we had heard more about Lorenzo at Suzuki than at Honda. Marquez is a great professional, just like Lorenzo beyond that he can be friendly or unpleasant, it's not for me to judge. Honda did the right thing: there is a free multi-world MotoGP champion on the market, and on the balance was the renewal of Pedrosa for the 14th consecutive year or conclude an era and do two years with Lorenzo, while waiting for the arrival of a strong young driver who could possibly replace Marquez or Lorenzo in 2021. I think they made the right choice, because Joan Mir would have been available among the youngsters, but imagine that he comes to the factory team and then has to gain the necessary experience. If Mir were to do well with Suzuki during these two years, it was not excluded that he could be contacted and hired by Honda.
These days we are experiencing the difficulties of the Marc VDS team... How difficult is it to keep a team in the premier category?
“It’s extremely difficult for everyone. We are extremely committed to surviving but thanks to a contribution from small and medium-sized businesses, particularly involved in the field of motorcycle accessories. By dividing investors and investments, we can also survive on television premiums.”
