de Puniet, Canepa form LCR E-Team MotoE squad
Randy de Puniet and Niccolo Canepa have been announced as the two-rider line-up for the LCR E-Team in MotoE
Randy de Puniet and Niccolo Canepa have been announced as the two-rider line-up for the LCR E-Team for the inaugural MotoE championship in 2019.
As the MotoE grid continues to take shape following the confirmation of Bradley Smith competing for the Sepang International Circuit-backed squad earlier this week, former LCR rider de Puniet reunites with the team having competed in MotoGP for Lucio Cecchinello’s squad between 2008-2010 as well as in 250cc from 2003-2004.
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The French rider will be joined by Italian Canepa, who currently acts as factory Yamaha Superbike test rider after clinching the 2017 Endurance World Championship with GMT94, as a two-rider line-up for the first-ever MotoE campaign. Testing for the maiden MotoE season begins at Jerez on 23-25 November.
Team boss Lucio Cecchinello has also assembled a strong crew for his MotoE outfit headed by former LCR member Paolo Cordioli along with Luciano and Thomas Betti who have experience racing electric bikes.
“This project is a new challenge in my career and I am very proud to be part of it with the brand-new LCR E-Team because this new series represents a part of racing’s future,” Cecchinello, LCR Team Principal, said. “I am also very happy to be back working with my former Chief Technician, Paolo Cordioli and also Luciano and Thomas Betti, both former international champions of previous electric bike competitions.
“When Randy De Puniet accepted our proposal to be part of this new project, I was very happy because he lined up for the LCR Team for five years in the achieving amazing results (18 podiums, including 4 victories).
“Niccolo has a very impressive career record also, including the 2007 Superstock World Title and the 2016/2017 FIM World Endurance Title, and is keen to start this new challenge aboard the MotoE.”
The inaugural MotoE championship gets underway at Jerez next May before four further rounds at Le Mans, Sachsenring, Spielberg and Misano racing as part of the support classes to MotoGP in 2019.
