Elias 12th on the Brno grid

After Friday’s afternoon improvements, LCR Honda rider Toni Elias recorded a best time of 1’58.245 and grabbed12th place on the grid for the Cardion ab Grand Prix Ceské republiky race.

This is the best qualifying position so far this year for the Moto2 Reigning World Champion and he is convinced he could have lapped even faster but this morning torrential rain has interrupted his TO DO list to fine tune the RCV.

Toni Elias: 

“Obviously I’m satisfied because this is my best position on the grid so far this year. With the small improvements we gained yesterday, I could ride the bike with more confidence, especially on the front. I had some more things to try this morning but the bad weather interrupted my plan. Anyway, we already decided on the front and rear tyre for tomorrow’s race and we just need to fine tune the bike to confirm our overall package. These small adjustments make me confident for Monday test session as well”.

LCR Honda press release.

Elías finds small afternoon improvements

LCR Honda rider Toni Elías is hopeful that his previous form of winning in Moto2 at Brno in 2010 and premier class podiums in 2008 and 2009 can inspire him this weekend, and prove the turning point of his 2011 season. On Friday the Spaniard registered a best lap time of 1’59.157 across both practice sessions, leaving him 18th on the timesheet.

Toni Elías:

“After the summer break I am happy to ride here in Brno. It’s one of my favourite tracks and in 2008 and 2009 I experienced the podium in the premier class. Unfortunately we have started the weekend with the same issues but we had some small improvements in the afternoon session. Now we must work on that to take another step forward ahead of the qualifying session. Despite this difficult situation I am very motivated and the team is doing a good job to help me.”

Andrea Dovizioso closing on LRC Honda deal

Andrea Dovizioso is edging closer to a switch to the LCR Honda squad for 2012.

Talks are at an advanced stage with the 2009 British Grand Prix winner as HRC gets set to slash its factory-backed Repsol squad from three to two bikes next season.

LCR Honda boss Lucio Cecchinello said:"From our side it is clear that we consider this as the best opportunity for us to make a big step forward. Andrea has already showed that he has top potential and it would be an honour to be able to work with him next season.

"It is quite a complicated operation because Andrea is supported with a factory bike in a factory team and of course he would like to continue to have the best material and a bigger structure than we have at the moment. It is something that we working on and we are proposing and discussing this project with our sponsors. But we are fully committed in working in this direction."

source: MCN

Elias 13th at tricky Laguna, Bostrom enjoys MotoGP debut

On a near perfect summer’s day with air temperature of 23 degrees, LCR Honda MotoGP Team racer Toni Elias finished the 32 lap Californian round in 13th position despite his usual front end issues. His team mate Ben Bostrom had a good start from the last spot on the grid, dropping his lap time by one second after the first lap.

Unfortunately, the American SBK rider went wide into the gravel twice and preferred to enter the garage trying not to crash his RCV no. 23. Now the MotoGP Championship has a break and premier class riders will be back on track on the 14th of August for the Czech Republic GP in Brno.

Toni Elias:

“In the morning warm up, we changed the rear set up of the bike and it felt immediately better. As always, I had a good start but on this track you get stuck if you start from the last row, so I pushed but in the first corner I went a bit wide. I was 12th when I suddenly lost the front running off into the gravel. I rejoined the race but for the rest of the race I felt like I was lapping on a frozen surface. We finished in 13th position but the situation is still very tough for us”.

Ben Bostrom: 

“I had a good start and immediately felt very comfortable on the bike. I improved my lap time by a second over the practice time, so I was very optimistic to see that so early in the race. Because I was riding so much faster, I started to feel uncomfortable in the first corner when I had to shift down because my foot hit the ground and after few laps I made a mistake running off the track into the gravel. It took me 30 seconds to rejoin the race but I wanted to continue, but then on the next lap I had the same problem. So I decided to enter the pits even if the bike was fantastic. Honestly, I was thinking about my next race and didn’t want to crash this bike. Once again, I want to thank MJM, Lucio and all the guys here: it was an incredible experience for me!”

LCR Honda press release.

Bostrom wild card confirmed with livery

LCR HONDA have confirmed that Ben Bostrom will wild card at Laguna Seca riding a star and stripes liveried RC212V.

Bostrom, who won a WSB round as a wildcard at Laguna Seca in 1999, said: "Words can't express how excited I am to get this amazing opportunity to race on my home track in front of the whole world. I have to thank Michael Jordan Motorsports and American Suzuki for allowing this to happen. The collaboration between Lucio, LCR and the MJM team has been terrific. I'm going to get on the GP bike and put it as close to the front as possible. Then I'm going to hop on my Jordan Suzuki bike and try to create even more magic."

The decision to invite the Californian comes from a relationship between Lucio Cecchinello and the Michael Jordan Motorsports that run Bostrom in the AMA series, the Italian commented on the doubling of the privateer team's efforts: “The U.S. GP takes place at one of the most spectacular racetracks in the world. The interest of the American fans of this sport grows more and more from year to year and the spectators are always very enthusiastic.

"Considering that some of our partners are operating in the American market, we thought that we should organize a special event before the summer break. Because of the great relationship between the LCR team and Michael Jordan Motorsports, we decided to invite one of Laguna Seca’s most successful riders to compete for us in the race: Ben Bostrom. Ben will ride with one of our RCVs as a “wild card” rider for only one race, while also taking part in the AMA Superbike race for Michael Jordan Motorsports. I’d like to offer many thanks to the Michael Jordan Motorsports team for the great collaboration and the amazing support.”

Bostrom will ride the spare bike of Toni Elias this weekend, an aim to inspire the wayward Spaniard and increase the visibilty of the sponsor's brand.

source: visordown

Another tough race for Elias at twisty Sachsenring

The reigning Moto2 World Champion worked on getting more feeling and easier handling from the front end of his RCV at the twisty race track but after another good start Elias had to face his usual problems with the rear managing to finish the race in 16th position. Now LCR Team will move straight to Laguna Seca circuit for the USA GP on the 24th of July.

Toni Elias:

“Yesterday we thought we made a good step forward and I was hoping for a better result. But at the beginning of the race with a full tank of fuel when the bike was heavier, I struggled a lot to control it. Suddenly, our usual problems came back again and I started to lose the front in the braking and had no confidence in the rear. I managed to cross the line in 16th position, but obviously I am very frustrated. I don't want to lose my motivation and concentration. We’ll see what's going to happen at Laguna.”

LCR Honda press release.

Bostrom to ride Elias' Honda at Laguna

In a bid to reassure sponsors LCR are drafting Ben Bostrom to ride the second Honda RC212V of Toni Elias at Laguna Seca.

The deal comes on the back of Rizoma launching a shop in Beverly Hills and the Italian bolt-on company are keen with decision to run Bostrom at Laguna Seca.

Bostrom currently rides for the Michael Jordan Suzuki squad in the AMA series, and it is not known whether the Californian will ride double duty with his AMA SBK commitments on the Jordan GSX-R1000 and riding the LCR Honda RC212V. (Hopefully the basketball legend will hang around and consider his own MotoGP team, the Air Jordan logo would be a welcome sight on the bodywork of a prototype machine.)

Being given an ultimatum to turn around his results Tiger Toni unfortunately maintained his form at Sachsenring, and with two falls in the free practice sessions on Friday the team found themselves €100,000 lighter to repair the damages.

The performance of Elias has caused untold problems for Lucio Cecchinello, with neither of the pair happy with the situation. Cecchincello was eager to loan the second bike as numerous candidates were considered for Laguna Seca including: John Hopkins, Sylvain Guintoli, Roger Lee Hayden and Andrea Iannone, after the Moto2 rirder had a positive run aboard the Pramac Ducati in the private test at Mugello.

Apparently Bostrom is being lined-up to continue with LCR Honda for Laguna Seca onwards, major factors that may hinder this appointment is gaining the approval from Suzuki to undertake the signing of the Californian and should it rain during the race, the team and riders will be left stranded without any bikes to swap to.

source: visordown

Toni Elias Back To MotoGP

2011 Moto2 winner, Toni Elias, finally back to MotoGP for 2011 season. Toni Elias will join with LCR Honda for next season. 

Toni Elias will start in Valencia on the test session with LCR Honda after this season over. Championship will be a great motivator for Elias to step ahead in MotoGP class.

“I’m very motivated. I think together we can have a very good season. I will start in Valencia after the last race and I am eager to get the job with the team underway as soon as possible!”

Team Manager Cecchinello said: “First of all I want to thank Randy (De Puniet) for his valuable cooperation and for the several successes we have shared in the 250cc class and in the MotoGP class in the last five years together.”

“The chance to work with Toni Elías is a big incentive for us because this is a very important moment for presenting a new project to our sponsors and partners. The nice thing is that Toni and I raced together in the 125cc class; I was at the end of my career and he was at the beginning of his. I remember he was a very hard rider and very determined. As time goes by he has improved very much and I think he is a very talented rider with a lot of experience. All the staff and I give him our warmest welcome!”

Welcome back Toni Elias