LCR Honda boss Lucio Cecchinello considering John Hopkins after Andrea Dovizioso’s denial – MotoGP
LCR Honda team boss Lucio Cecchinello is considering British Superbike title contender John Hopkins for the 2012 MotoGP season.
The initial priority for Cecchinello was to sign Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso for the upcoming premier class season. Currently, the LCR Honda team has suffered a tough season with Toni Elias.
Lucio Cecchinello shared his views with Motorcyclenews.com and said, “We are in contact with Bob Moore who is the manager of John Hopkins and I am always open to consider Randy de Puniet and depending on what Suzuki will do, the door is also open for Bautista.”
Cecchinello had offered Dovizioso to ride for LCR Honda in 2012 with a factory supported RC213V, but the Italian was not pleased to accept the offer. The offer was made during the Japanese GP.
On the other hand, there were reports that the HRC planned to only place three factory bikes on the grid for the 2012 season. Two were already reserved for Repsol riders Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa. The third one was an option for one of the satellite
teams, Honda Gresini or LCR Honda.
However, the San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Marco Simoncelli was already riding the fourth factory setup bike. Team boss Fausto Gresini made a strong negotiation with HRC along with bigger sponsors which allowed a third factory supported bike for Simoncelli
in 2012.
This forced Dovizioso to take a step away from HRC and accept the rivals’ deal. The Italian was convinced by Herve Poncharal, boss of Tech3, to ride along Cal Crutchlow for the 2012 season.
Now Cecchinello is looking forward to sign Samsung Crescent Suzuki rider from BSB series. Though Hopper desires returning to MotoGP with the Rizla Suzuki squad but Cecchinello is open to welcome the former American MotoGP rider.
On the contrary, LCR Honda is also considering former team rider Randy de Puniet who endured a rough season aboard Pramac Racing in 2011.
Looking to the future of the Rizla Suzuki, Cecchinello is also willing to take Alvaro Bautista for 2012. Reportedly, Suzuki is on edge to make a decision for the 2012 MotoGP season, whether they will be running a team or step out of the premier class.
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