LCR Honda unlikely to expand MotoGP effort in 2014

Lucio Cecchinello’s LCR Honda squad appears to have abandoned plans to expand to a two-rider effort in the 2014 MotoGP world championship.

Before the start of the current season the Italian outlined plans to possibly increase his involvement by purchasing a production Honda RC213V to develop a young rider in the premier class.

But Honda confirmed this week that it is unlikely that the former 125GP winner will campaign one of its five production machines available alongside German Stefan Bradl, who will remain on a factory prototype RC213V.

Honda boss Livio Suppo told MCN: “The plan of Lucio is to remain with one bike. Even if the production bike is cheaper than a satellite prototype it is still money and it is not only the bike you need but you need a rider, a team of mechanics, so I think Lucio prefers to have a big focus on one bike.”

There has been no confirmed orders for the new HRC production machine, which is a more affordable factory-supplied bike aimed at non-factory teams currently running expensive but uncompetitive CRT machinery.

But Suppo said he is confident that big interest its in its production bike, which is expected to cost between £800,000 and £900,000, will see all five bikes available sold.

He added: “The plan is to have the final details of the bike and its price before the summer break. Maybe will bring the bike in Brno just to show it. At the moment there are many teams interested in this project.”