MotoGP Lucio Cecchinello: “Marc Márquez has a huge influence on Honda’s decisions”

The teams are polishing their weapons and preparing their luggage for the return to MotoGP which will take place in the furnace of the Sepang track. On this circuit, the category will get back into rhythm after a hibernation of a few months. Three days of testing will not be too long to make the final adjustments before the big jump into the 2020 season. The LCR team, which is Honda's satellite, is in this case, with two drivers in physical condition to consolidate . A situation which mainly concerns Takaaki Nakagami whose shoulder operation was delicate. A surgery that Marc Márquez knows well and, precisely, the boss Lucio Cecchinello does not forget it in his first outing of the year…

It took him a while to Takaaki Nakagami to rediscover the pleasure of a motorcycle trip. Absent from the slopes since her last outing at Motegi last season, the Japanese had to undergo shoulder surgery. A delicate surgery which led to a long convalescence. But the teammate of a Crutchlow who, for his part, has to deal with a reconstructed ankle which causes him daily pain, seems to have recovered most of his abilities. Better still, he also worked on his mind.

Lucio Cecchinello presents its pilot as follows: “ we quickly saw that he had good qualities. For example, he managed to set perfect lap times on very worn tires. This is a quality that we have noticed. He succeeds because he has a very smooth riding style when it comes to twisting the throttle. Taka practices a very elegant and tire-friendly style. When the latter's grip decreases, it has the natural ability to control the throttle before the rear wheel spins too much and spins. »

In 2018 he lacked aggressiveness, in the first laps he lost too many positions, but inside the team they worked a lot on this aspect. Takaaki Nakagami was able to improve in 2019, he also worked on the physique with intensive training and now he seems ready to fight for the positions that matter. With Tito Rabat et Johann zarco, Nakagami will be on a 2019 bike in this 2020 season.

Cecchinello ends his comments exchanged with Speedweek with this well-felt remark: “ Marc Márquez has enormous influence on HRC decisions. It's normal. So I was not surprised by the fact that after Lorenzo withdrew, Álex Márquez got the place. » We will remember that the eight-time champion had made it known in his time that he had barely interfered in a decision that he had insisted on presenting as that of the recruitment of the reigning Moto2 World Champion, before any other consideration …