'Excited' LCR welcomes Alex Marquez

LCR Honda boss Lucio Cecchinelli says he is 'delighted' and 'excited' to embark on a new MotoGP project with Alex Marquez next season.

The Moto2 world champion is currently preparing to start his rookie MotoGP campaign, as an official Repsol Honda rider alongside brother and reigning champion Marc, at this weekend's Spanish Grand Prix.

But regardless of his performances this season, Alex will then hand his Repsol ride to Pol Espargaro in 2021 and switch to the satellite LCR team.

Upon announcing the future deals for Espargaro and Alex Marquez, HRC also confirmed that Cal Crutchlow will leave LCR at the end of this year, thus effectively making way for the younger Marquez.

Crutchlow is the most successful satellite MotoGP rider since 2006, claiming three wins and twelve podiums during his five seasons to date at Cecchinello's team.

Like LCR team-mate Takaaki Nakagami, Crutchlow is contracted directly to HRC. Unlike the Japanese, he has the latest-spec RC213V machinery – factory support that will now go to Marquez in 2021 and 2022. Nakagami's future is still to be decided, but it is assumed he will continue.

“First and foremost I’d like to say that we are fully focused on the campaign ahead and look forward to a successful 2020. In Cal and Taka we have two fantastic riders who we believe in fully to shine in the shortened MotoGP season," Cecchinello said.

"We are delighted to welcome Alex Marquez into our team next season. Alex is a two-time World Champion, a truly exciting prospect, and we are very happy and definitely proud that HRC has assigned us the task of helping him take his next important steps in his MotoGP racing career.

"Over recent seasons LCR’s position as one of the leading independent teams in the MotoGP class has been confirmed with 12 podiums and three stunning victories for Cal Crutchlow.

"The team is excited about embarking on another project alongside Honda, and as ever we will do our very best to prepare someone who will undoubtedly be a star of MotoGP in the future.”

Alex Marquez operated out of the LCR pits for his MotoGP debut at last November's Valencia test (pictured).