30 years of LCR-Honda: an emotional milestone for team owner Lucio Cecchinello

Before the MotoGP engines roared into life for the first time on Friday at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, a special anniversary had already been celebrated. Lucio Cecchinello’s LCR Honda team is celebrating its 30th anniversary. The team principal of the satellite team, who now resides in Monaco and has also registered the team there, once started out as a rider himself with his team in the 125cc World Championship and celebrated no fewer than seven Grand Prix victories.

For the official team celebration, they managed to gather a spectacular total of 14 former LCR bikes in their original liveries on the start straight at Misano, alongside the entire team, riders and their families. The highlight: after his lap of honour, Cecchinello himself rode through a guard of honour formed by friends, former colleagues, the current crew, as well as partners and sponsors. The 1999 125cc Honda was brought out for the occasion.

Cecchinello: Parade mit der 125er-GP-Honda

Foto: Ronny Lekl

Afterwards, there was toasting, celebrating and talk of LCR Racing’s early days. “My parents didn’t want me to ride motorbikes at all. Then they said I should finish my schooling, get a job and finance my racing that way. They definitely didn’t want to pay for it themselves. So I took a job in a motorbike shop,” recalled Lucio, adding, visibly moved: “It’s absolutely fantastic, unbelievable and wonderful to be able to experience this.”

Bravo Lucio Cecchinello für 30 Jahre LCR Racing

Foto: Ronny Lekl

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After his lap of honour, the emotional Italian was literally carried on the shoulders of his friends and team-mates like a rock star. His current MotoGP riders, Johann Zarco and rookie Diogo Moreira, played a leading role in this. Outstanding and a testament to his loyalty: Cecchinello remained loyal to the Honda brand throughout his career as a MotoGP team boss, even though he had several opportunities to switch manufacturers. Nevertheless, the GP Aprilia bikes from the period before the team’s promotion to the premier class were also included in the commemorative photos.

As a reminder: Australian icon Casey Stoner made his breakthrough with LCR-Honda, which led to his promotion to the Ducati works team in the MotoGP World Championship. Cal Crutchlow, Alex Rins and Johann Zarco have won five races for LCR in the MotoGP World Championship. In total, the team led by the Venetian – who was recently appointed president of the IRTA team association – has triumphed 25 times.