Poncharal replaces Pons as IRTA president.

The International Road Racing Teams Association (IRTA) - an association formed to attend to the interests of all teams, riders and service companies participating in MotoGP racing - has named Tech 3 Yamaha team principal Herve Poncharal as its new president.

IRTA, which celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, employs several staff members to administer and perform a vast range of duties for the membership. The membership also elects the President of IRTA, with both the President and the Committee have a two-year mandate.

Catalunya was the chosen venue for the IRTA Annual General Meeting (AGM) and the membership discussed and agreed upon several matters. The Committee presented the 2005 accounts for inspection and the proposed 2006 budget. Team selection was confirmed and ratified and details of the new regulations for 2006 were given to the membership.

IRTA Presidential elections were scheduled for the AGM and, for the first time since the foundation of the Association, two candidates for the post were originally proposed; current president Sito Pons and Poncharal.

However, the election proved to be an unnecessary exercise as Pons announced he felt that after ten years in the role of IRTA Chairman or President it was the appropriate time to step down and allow another qualified member assume the role. In withdrawing his candidature Sito pledge his full support to Herve who was duly elected.

Poncharal was elected to the Committee of IRTA in 1997 and has retained his position ever since. A motorcycle road racing stalwart Herve is the team owner of the Tech 3 Yamaha MotoGP team. He also has a solid 250cc grand prix pedigree having contested the quarter litre championship with Suzuki, Honda and Yamaha machinery. The highlight of his 250c career was a World Championship title with Olivier Jacque in 2000.

The Committee members paid tribute to departing president Pons thanking the former double 250cc World Champion for his tireless, and fruitful work on behalf of the Association dating back to the 1980s.

Despite his success on track as both rider and winning team owner Pons was always on hand to defend and promote the best interests of the IRTA teams and riders. He was elected to the Committee of IRTA in 1986, shortly after the Association was founded. Sito was elected as Chairman of the Committee in 1997 and three years later his candidature for role of President was successful.

Sito has been influential in all major developments in world championship racing over recent years representing the interest of the teams in negotiations with Dorna, and as the IRTA delegate to the Grand Prix Commission.