LCR commits to MotoGP for five more years
The satellite LCR squad has announced it will remain in MotoGP through to 2026 having signed a new deal with Dorna Sports and the International Race Teams Association.
Lucio Cecchinello’s outfit was founded by the Italian in 1996 when he raced in the 125cc world championship, with the squad expanding into the 250cc class in 2002.
LCR stepped up to MotoGP in 2006 as a Honda customer team, fielding rookie Casey Stoner that year as a one-bike effort.
The squad would remain a one-rider entry to 2015, when it ran Cal Crutchlow and Jack Miller, before permanently becoming a two-bike team from 2018.
LCR has won three premier class races courtesy of Crutchlow, who ended the team’s wait for victory at the 2016 Czech Grand Prix before adding to its haul in Australia that season and at the 2018 Dutch TT.
In 2021, LCR will field 2019 Moto2 world champion Alex Marquez and Takaaki Nakagami on factory-supported RC213Vs.
Cecchinello said in a statement: “It is a great honour for me to announce that LCR has recently renewed with IRTA and Dorna its MotoGP class contract participation until 2026.
“I am grateful to be able to continue competing in the premier class category for five more years and I can’t wait to start a new chapter in LCR history with both of our riders Takaaki Nakagami and Alex Marquez on a full factory bike!”
LCR is the second satellite squad to confirm its participation in MotoGP beyond 2021, after Gresini announced in December it would cease being Aprilia’s factory entry from 2022 and return to being an independent outfit.
As far as manufacturers are concerned, both KTM and Ducati have confirmed their commitment to MotoGP beyond 2022, with the rest expected to sign a new deal.
Several new teams have been linked to potential MotoGP grid slots in 2022, with both the Leopard squad and Valentino Rossi’s VR46 outfit expressing interest.
The latter looks like a formality as it backs Luca Marini’s debut season in 2021 with Esponsorama Racing (formerly Avintia), with VR46 expected to take over the Ducati customer’s grid slots next year.
Share Or Save This Story
MotoGP 2025: Full rider line-up revealed
A year on from Marquez’s Germany MotoGP meltdown, has Honda improved?
What’s behind MotoGP’s right-hander chaos in Germany practice?
Can Diogo Moreira secure factory Honda promotion for MotoGP 2027?
Johann Zarco: “My ego is filled” after impressive MotoGP comeback in Aragon
Johann Zarco set to return at Aragon GP after terrifying Barcelona accident
Ollie Millroy visits Loek Hartog on birthday after crash, gifts him a Rolex
MotoGP riders resigned to Qatar GP as series monitors safety situation
MotoGP responds to riders' claims they had “no choice” over 2027 format
Spire places Chris Gabehart on administrative leave; JGR claims proof of wrongdoing
The contrasting tactics used by Ducati and Aprilia in MotoGP 2026 title fight
Five things we learned from MotoGP Japanese GP after tyre drama
How to make two MotoGP grids with a single qualifying session
What we learned from an emotional MotoGP Austrian Grand Prix
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments