LCR Honda team principal Lucio Cecchinello has revealed the true nature of Johann Zarco’s feelings toward his 2024 Honda bike, explaining that while the French rider maintained a positive public image, there were moments of tension behind the scenes.
Zarco, who made the switch from Pramac Ducati to LCR Honda for the 2024 season, found himself in a challenging situation with a team grappling with performance issues. Cecchinello acknowledged that the beginning of the season was tough for the Frenchman, who often kept his frustrations private.
“Zarco always tried to behave positively in the media. But inside the garage, I can tell you, there was sometimes tension!” Cecchinello admitted. “It’s normal. The rider was fed up because we couldn’t provide a better bike.”
The team was at the bottom of the rankings early in the season, and Zarco, along with his team, had to endure numerous difficulties. Despite these setbacks, Cecchinello praised Honda for its ongoing efforts to improve the bike, and by the end of the season, the team was closer to the top 10.
“We kept developing the bike, Honda did an amazing job. By the end of the season, we are happier because we are nearer the top 10.”
Despite the struggles, Zarco ended the season as the fastest Honda rider, consistently outperforming his factory counterparts. He finished 17th in the overall standings, ahead of the three other riders on Honda bikes.
Looking ahead to 2025, Zarco will remain with LCR Honda, while the team has reassigned his 2024 teammate, Takaaki Nakagami, to a test rider role. Somkiat Chantra will move up to MotoGP to join Zarco in the team.
In the test team, Nakagami will be joined by veteran rider Aleix Espargaro, whose dedication to the sport impressed Cecchinello throughout the season.
“Aleix is an extremely experienced rider, and what he’s done in his career is remarkable,” said Cecchinello. “Until the last race, he kept pushing, which isn’t common. Often, riders near the end of their careers think about avoiding risks, but Aleix kept pushing. It’s remarkable.”
With these changes, LCR Honda hopes to continue developing their bike and improve their performance in the upcoming season.
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