Of
the teams competing in MOTO GP in 2009, one team stands out in term of
perseverance and the determination of a man. His name is engraved in the team
name. The only team to carry a person’s name (initials).The team is LCR Moto GP
Team. The LC
in the name stands for Lucio Cecchinello.
LUCIO
CECCHINELLO was born on the 21st. of November 1969 in
Venice, Italy. As a child Lucio loved the roar of engines and speed
had always been an adrenaline booster. As a 12 year old Lucio converted his
trusty Benelli Motorella to a mini racing motorcycle. It was an achievement for
a twelve year old even by today’s standard. Later he took a TGM powered by a
self modified 50cc Minarelli engine for motor cross
events. When he got his license he collected all funds he could get
and purchased himself an NS 125. Riding the country roads on this bike he
became determined that he will race one day. The pull from motorcycle racing
grew stronger;the smell of aviation fuel and castor oil was just too much for
Lucio.
In
1989 in the Italian Sport Production Championship riding a 125 NSR made his
debut into real racing and in only third race he achieved victory. Lucio became
Italian Runner-up Champion in 1990.
In
1996 Lucio set up his own team for the World 125cc Championship and did
extremely well. World Championship racing was not easy but for the
determine Lucio his hard work finally paid when he got victory in
Jarama. Mugello proved be a sentimental track for Lucio as in his final year
(2003) of competition as a rider he won the Italian Grand Prix. Mugello was the
track where he started training.
In
1991 with Team Italia, Lucio debut gave him 10th placing
in the 125cc European Championship.The following he was Runner-Up. 1993 was a
milestone for Lucio, he made his world 125 debut on a Gazzaniga motorbike under
team Gazzaniga Corse.
In
1994 GIVI offered Lucio the opportunity to race in the Moto GP riding a RS
125cc with which he scored his first world championship points. In 1995 under
Team Pileri he became European Champion.
The
following year (2004) Lucio became fully involved in running Team LCR.
LCR Team
The LC
in the name stands for Lucio Cecchinello.
