[Candellan]

Cecchinello signs Stoner for MotoGP challenge
News, 13/12/05

Casey Stoner will ride for Lucio Cecchinello's LCR team in 2006 with the Italian outfit having secured a deal with Honda Racing Corporation to enter a RC211V in next year's MotoGP World Championship.

A press release published by the team on Monday evening announced the deal with Honda without confirming their rider, but team manager Cecchinello explained to motogp.com that the young Australian is set to sign on.

“Casey contacted me to tell me that he was available and we quickly reached an agreement,” said Cecchinello. “We just have to sign the amended contract. Stoner was contracted by the team to race in the 250cc World Championship in 2005 and 2006, with an option to move up to MotoGP in 2007. So the new deal will specify that he will race for us, in the MotoGP class, for the two next seasons.”

“We have agreed on the terms of the deal with the rider, we just have to sort out a few technical details, which should be quickly addressed. Casey is flying today from Australia to sign the new contract. On our side, the team will have a meeting session this week so we can start to organize next season and plan all we need to do for this new challenge.”

Cecchinello revealed that his original plans were thrown into doubt when Stoner agreed to test with the Honda Pons team at both Valencia and Sepang. He thought he had lost the Australian, but was relieved when Stoner got back in contact and informed him he was still a free agent.

“It has been a pretty difficult period after the end of the season," Cecchinello continued. "Before the end of the championship we were clearly looking at a move to the MotoGP class. We had the rider, an agreement with Yamaha and a spot on the MotoGP grid."

“What happened is that Sito Pons couldn't contract Max (Biaggi) and made an interesting offer to Stoner. So we lost our rider and couldn't move forward with the project. Almost two months later, Casey eventually told us he was available again. In the meantime he had tested the Honda and was willing to race on this machine, so we talked with HRC to make it possible.”

Founded in 1996, the LCR team is now set to take a major step forward by joining the elite class. As team chairman and managing director, Cecchinello is obviously pleased with this achievement, almost a decade after he created his own outfit to race in the 125cc World Championship.

“It's something very important for us. We are very happy to move up to the MotoGP class with the number one factory; we are also pleased because it proves that our work is respected and valued,” he added.

“To celebrate our tenth anniversary by entering the MotoGP class underlines our progress. We now feel ready to mount an effort in the MotoGP class, but we know it will require more work and dedication. We will do our best and bring some good results to Honda.”

http://www.motogp.com/en/motogp/news_info/...1.htm?menu=home

[80OZT]

congrats to stoner, can't wait till next year

he was killing it in the time trials at honda aswell and considering it was his first time on the bike its going to be very interesting to see how he goes

[gruntath]

I always assumed casey would be on rossi's bike after rossi calls it quits. Figured since rossi's entire engineering team is doohans there would be a bit of aussie pride. Guess i still kind of hope he does.

Either way as much as i'd like to think stoner will push rossi, the doctor is just about infallible.

[negreth]

This is good to see, Casey deserves his success. Can;t wait for '06!

[Candellan]

gruntath, on Dec 15 2005, 09:36 PM, said:

Either way as much as i'd like to think stoner will push rossi, the doctor is just about infallible.

No he may not be a viable challenger, but I want to see him harrasing Melandri, harrasing Vali. 3 way dices for the lead between 3 top riders....makes a change from seeing Sete crash from the lead on lap 3.

[gruntath]

true that. I still reckon come 2007 when rossi is gone casey has very good chance ending up on that bike. That team is still australian at heart!!

[squala]

Stoner and Rossi - I love these guys! They will definitely be going all-out at this year's races. Melandri should also hop in and join the fun. And oh, don't forget Pedrosa!

[racingroo]

Stoner not going to bad at the testing going on at Phillip Island at the moment:

Unoffcial Times (31 January):
Melandri (Honda) 1'30.79
Hayden (Honda) 1'30.99
Stoner (Honda) 1'31.07
Gibernau (Ducati) 1'31.27
Pedrosa (Honda) 1'31.45
Roberts (KR) 1'31.50
Capirossi (Ducati) 1'31.60
Nakano (Kawasaki) 1'31.86
Elias (Honda) 1'32.23
Tamada (Honda) 1'32.40
DePuniet (Kawasaki) 1'32.49
Cardoso (Ducati) 1'32.78
Hoffman (Ducati) 1'32.90

[no_tofu_speed]

I havent followed MotoGP for a longtime, what happened to Rossi?

[squala]

Finally, Rossi has a true opponent after so many years. Hayden only had a very consistent bike, which translated to his winning the championship last year. Stoner's learning curve in the premiere class is amazing. His sophomore year is way better than 2006, wherein he kept falling down his bike when chasing the guys in front or defending those charging from behind. The Ducati is a very good bike other than tremendous straight-line speed.

The Italian magician's normal routine is to overtake those ahead of him after a few laps then never looks back, but the young Aussie is showing he's already championship material, fighting back even if he has already been passed, as seen in one GP. Rossi always had answers even to faster bikes, but this time, the decider will be won out of true rider ability.

[squala]

In Germany, Pedrosa's win, Stoner's disappointing 5th and Rossi's humbling crash made the title chase a 3-way battle. Having made a daring move against Randy dePuniet, the Italian's bike slipped and forced him to retire after the engine shut off. He can really feel the pressure of having to catch up for points against the young, consistent Aussie. Valentino's never had one like this before.

Next up is Laguna Seca, which should be an advantage for American Hayden, who's on the brink of losing his ride at Honda having not any promising result and way behind Pedrosa on points.

So who will win?

Dani - size & weight
Casey - fast bike
Valentino - pure skill

[Candellan]

Don't forget the home track advantage is still going to benefit the yanks (Colin, Nikki, Hopper) as well as the former AMA riders like our Chris Vermeulen.

My money is on Hopper 1st, Chris 2nd and Colin 3rd.

[VGP]

top two, aussies, stoner then vermuelen. Im liking stoner's chances on the title more and more.....