MotoGP: LCR Honda confirms its place on the grid until 2026

LCR Honda has committed its future to MotoGP after signing a new five-year deal with IRTA and Dorna.

The Honda satellite team, which celebrates its 25th anniversary this season, will remain on the grid until at least the end of the 2026 campaign. LCR join Ducati and KTM in signing new contracts.

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Lucio Cecchinello created the team in 1996, starting out with two technicians and a van. Cecchinello’s team spent nine years in the 125cc class before moving to the 250cc category in 2002. Four years later LCR made the jump to the premier class as a one-rider effort with future champion Casey Stoner. 

The team expanded to two riders in 2015 with Cal Crutchlow and Jack Miller representing the team. Crutchlow would go on to clinch his and the team’s first-ever MotoGP victory at Brno in 2016, before winning again at Phillip Island (2016) and Argentina (2018). Takaaki Nakagami and Alex Marquez will be the team’s riders in 2021. 

Cecchinello’s team has obtained a total of 85 podiums and 24 victories over the years in all the categories, whilst LCR Honda has become a frontrunner in the premier class in recent times.

“First and foremost, I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to all the people who have worked with the LCR team since January of 1996, when we received our very first World Championship contract participation as a Team,” Cecchinello said. “I can’t believe that it’s been 25 years! A quarter of century lived with LCR riders and team personnel working at full speed on track and believe me, even off-track!

“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 Taka and Alex on a full factory bike!”

Qatar will host the opening two rounds of the 2021 MotoGP season on March 28 and April 4.