HRC poised to take up option on Stefan Bradl for 2014

Honda is poised to invoke an option in Stefan Bradl’s contract that will see the German remain with the LCR Honda squad for 2014.

After an impressive rookie campaign in MotoGP last year, Bradl was handed a two-year deal direct with HRC, but with an option for the second season in ’14.

The 2011 Moto2 world champion has recovered from a shaky start in his second season in Lucio Cecchinello’s satellite squad to finish in the top six in the last three races and he scored a maiden premier class front row in Assen last weekend.

HRC boss Livio Suppo told MCN: “99.9% it is done. The factory team is sure both Dani (Pedrosa) and Marc (Marquez) and Alvaro (Bautista) is under a two-year contract. And we always say it is a two-year deal with Stefan because there is a possibility for us to change. It is up to us and so far Lucio and Honda are happy. He has done a good job and Lucio would like to have a three-year plan with Stefan because he is a good rider that maybe needs a little more time to deliver the maximum.”

Cecchinello confirmed in Assen last weekend that Bradl will remain on a factory-spec RC213V machine and the Italian told MCN: “Stefan has a contract with HRC and it is up to them to confirm this by the end of July. They will probably confirm very soon and our wish is to continue with him. He deserves to stay in the team.”

For 12-pages of coverage from the Assen MotoGP weekend, see the July 3 issue of Motor Cycle News.