XAVIER SIMEON AND NICCOLO’ CANEPA TO LINE UP WITH LCR E-TEAM IN 2020

Courtesy of LCR E-Team

The inaugural FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup was seen as a great success, with the first-ever electric motorcycle racing world championship witnessing some close battles, photo finishes and four different winners in six races. The LCR E-Team official riders Niccolò Canepa and Randy De Puniet were amongst the main protagonists of the innovative and exciting new series, which saw Italy’s Matteo Ferrari being crowned as the first MotoE World Champion.

The 2020 FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup starts in May at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit in Spain, before ending in Misano, Italy, in September. Ahead of “recharging the batteries” over winter, the LCR E-Team is pleased to announce that the Belgian rider Xavier Simeon will join the squad to compete alongside Niccolò Canepa.

After claiming the 2009 FIM Superstock 1000 Cup, Simeon arrived in MotoGP in 2010 competing in the Moto2 category for several seasons before joining the premier class aboard the Avintia Ducati in 2018. In 2019, the Belgian placed his Ego Corsa Energica bike in 6th position overall in his inaugural year in the FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup (grabbing two podium finishes at the Austrian and San Marino GPs).
Lucio Cecchinello (LCR Team Principal): ”

The FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup was a challenge for the organizers, for the teams and for the riders, but everyone’s work produced a unique and exciting championship for two-wheel racing fans and we are very proud to be part of this project. I really want to thank Niccolò and Randy because they proved to be real professionals at their debut with the electric bikes. Today I am happy to announce a brand-new collaboration with Xavier Simeon, and a renewal of the partnership with Niccolò Canepa for the 2020 season: they are both experienced and talented riders who make a perfect combination for the LCR E-Team.”

Xavier Simeon

“After a first year of learning in this brand new electric championship, I am very happy to join the LCR E-Team for my second season in MotoE. It is a great opportunity, especially because it’s a very professional team offering quality support. I’m sure we’ll do great things together. With two podiums last season, the main goal next year will be to win as many races as possible and fight for the cup. I want to thank Zelos, my partners and Lucio for their support in this new adventure.”

Niccolò Canepa

“I am very happy to renew with the LCR E-Team because I truly believe that the first FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup was so exciting. Initially I struggled a bit to adapt but then step by step we managed to improve, so I want to thank my crew for supporting me throughout this new adventure. Let’s say that 2019 was my “first year at school” and it was fundamental for understanding the bike’s potential at the various tracks, but next year I want to be at the front every race. I want to thank Lucio and all the LCR E-Team partners for believing in me again in 2020.”

Jerez Winter Test Approaches For Kawasaki Riders

Courtesy of KRT – Kawasaki Racing Team

KRT rider and five-time WorldSBK champion Jonathan Rea will once again take the track in Spain alongside his new team-mate Alex Lowes, this time for the final winter test of the 2019 calendar year. Jerez is the destination, between 28 and 29 November. 

Both riders and their respective technical crews will be hoping for two days of uninterrupted dry and bright winter conditions, to allow a high degree of consistency when performing back-to-back tests and trying out various set-up options.
 
After riding one day of the potential two at the previous tests in Motorland Aragon, Rea knows exactly what he needs from what will be the final two days of official track action at Jerez before the winter break arrives. The feedback and set-up data from this test will therefore be of great importance to all inside the overall Kawasaki effort to make ready for the 2020 season.
 
After a positive first experience with his new team at Motorland Aragon, even in the face of sometimes-unfavourable weather conditions, Lowes is now out to discover more of the full nature of the class-leading Ninja ZX-10RR at Jerez.
 
Lowes was still close to the top of the best times at the Motorland tests which gives him and the team great confidence to build on, as they continue to forge a strong working relationship to maximise the full potential of the entire racing project.
 
Weather conditions can always change, particularly at this time of the year, but as it stands the forecasts indicate that Jerez should benefit from a period of dry weather for the two days of testing.
 
As well as being the location for this test, the 4.423km long Jerez circuit will also be the host venue for the third round of the 2020 WorldSBK championship itself, to be held in late March.
 
Jonathan Rea, stated: “I am pretty happy to get back on my bike again as we never got the best conditions at Aragon. With Jerez just being a little further south in Europe, at this time of year we can hopefully rely on some better riding conditions to continue our winter test programme. We are trying some different things and we have some new test items to try. We are also experimenting with our base set-up a little bit. It is the time of the year when we can really do that. After the Aragon test I have been busy at home and also I visited the Motorcycle Live Show in Birmingham, which was really nice because I hung out with a lot of fans. Just to hear all the positive vibes gave me good energy to approach this last part of the year, and give a big effort at the last winter test of 2019. It is one of the most important tests because in January it can be even cooler. Most of our priority is to enjoy the bike – and be fast!”
 
Alex Lowes, stated: “I am really looking forward to this test because Aragon was affected a lot by the weather. My goals for this next test are to understand the bike a little bit more, and then hopefully be able to do some longer runs on the bike. I want to get more understanding of what sort of changes, and how the bike feels with the changes, that the guys make on the set-up. I will also keep working on my relationship with the guys in the garage, so that they understand exactly what I need from the bike. Obviously, getting the bike set-up for the track and having a good feeling at the track is important. But in the racing season the track temperatures can be a bit higher, so it is more important that the guys understand my feedback from the bike, and understand what I need from the set-up, so it minimises the time needed to get the feeling I will need. Jerez is a track I really enjoy and I am just looking forward to getting more laps in, continuing the process of adapting to the bike and the team. It is going to be good and we are all hoping for some sunshine.”
 
Guim Roda, KRT Team Manager, stated: “Our next test is very important because it will be the final one before we go into the Christmas break. It is important to finish with a good vibe to close out an incredible year. The weather forecast looks good so Alex will have the opportunity to ride for two full dry days; for sure he will make incredible steps. Our first sensations working with him in Motorland were good. He is working calmly and patiently to make the rhythm come to him instead of chasing it. He shows a great, mature attitude and I think this will allow us to make good and solid steps. Jonathan is becoming stronger and even more motivated after the Motorland test, which he left after the first day because of a personal matter at home. We have prepared eight qualifying tyres for him to destroy the lap time before the Christmas break… This will be the final test after what must be the best season he has had until now. Let’s see how much he can enjoy – what we expect to be – good weather in Jerez.”
 
As well as the official KRT squad being at Jerez, Xavi Fores will ride the Kawasaki Puccetti Ninja ZX-10RR, and the expanded Pedercini Racing Team will field their existing WorldSBK rider Jordi Torres as well as their additional signing for 2020, Lorenzo Savadori.
 
2019 KRT Rider WorldSBK Statistics
 
Jonathan Rea: World Champion 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019
2019: Races 37, Wins 17, Podiums 34, Superpoles 7
Career Race Wins: 88 (73 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 168 (126 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 23 (19 for Kawasaki)
 
Alex Lowes:
2019: Races: 37, Wins 0, Podiums 9, Superpoles 0
Career Race Wins: 1 (0 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 20 (0 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 1 (0 for Kawasaki)
 
7 x Riders’ Championships (Scott Russell 1993, Tom Sykes 2013, Rea 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019), 1 x EVO Riders’ Championship (David Salom 2014)
5 x Manufacturers’ Championships (Ninja ZX-10R 2015 & 2016, Ninja ZX-10RR 2017, 2018 & 2019)
5 x Teams’ Championships (KRT/Provec Racing 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019)
 
Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics
Total Kawasaki Race Wins: 146 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Podiums: 433 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Poles: 88 – second overall

Matteo Ferrari is the 2019 MotoE™ World Cup Winner! #Ferrar1⚡️

Courtesy of MotoGP

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MIXED DAY FOR LCR E-TEAM RIDERS AT VALENCIA FINALE

Courtesy of LCR MotoE Team

LCR E-Team rider Randy De Puniet just missed out on a top-10 finish, while there was disappointment for team-mate Niccolò Canepa in the final race of the inaugural FIM MotoE World Cup in Valencia. Having finished 13th in Saturday’s opening race, De Puniet improved again on Sunday and looked poised for his first top-10 of the season as he started the final lap in ninth position. However, he lost two places before taking the chequered flag, meaning he had to settle for 11th place – equalling his best result of the campaign. Canepa was looking to build on his seventh place finish yesterday, but saw those hopes end early after a nasty highside crash on the opening lap. That meant he lost the chance to improve his final standing in the riders’ championship and ended the season in ninth overall. Niccolò Canepa – DNF “I’m really sorry as I wanted to end the championship in a better way, but I had quite a big highside on the first lap when I was fighting hard. I had a good start and I was feeling good, so I’m sorry that I couldn’t finish in a good place in the championship because I think I lost something here. I’m sorry for the team, but the most important thing is that it wasn’t too serious, I’m not injured so I’ll be ready for next season and I can’t wait to start again”. Randy De Puniet – 11th

“The race went ok. There was a huge crash at the first corner, but fortunately I managed to avoid it. I was ninth until the last lap and then two riders overtook me on the straight, so in the end it wasn’t bad. The problem was that my qualification was really bad, so it was difficult for me to fight for better positions. But it’s much better to finish like this than the previous races. So I want to thank Lucio, LCR and the guys that worked with me this year, even if it wasn’t quite as we expected. They always stayed focused, I gave my best and I wish them good luck for next season.”

ENCOURAGING RESULTS FOR LCR E-TEAM DUO IN VALENCIA

Courtesy of LCR MotoE Team

LCR E-Team riders Niccolò Canepa and Randy de Puniet claimed seventh and 13th positions respectively in the penultimate race of the inaugural MotoE championship in Valencia on Saturday. Having qualified in seventh, Canepa maintained that position but only after battling back following an early collision on the opening lap of seven at the Circuit Ricardo Tormo. The Italian had a coming together at the second corner and lost ground, but responded well and narrowly failed to overtake Alex De Angelis in the closing stages as they fought for sixth. After starting from 16th on the grid, De Puniet showed good spirit to recover from a poor start that left him at the back of the field. The Frenchman found some rhythm midway through the race and was able to make up several positions to claim his best result of the campaign in dry conditions. The final race of the season will take place on Sunday after the MotoGP event in Valencia. Niccolò Canepa – 7th “I’m not fully satisfied. It wasn’t a great start and I had a huge contact in the second corner of the first lap where I lost a few positions. I had to come back and I overtook a few riders, then I was fighting with (Alex) De Angelis but I couldn’t pass him on the last lap. The pace wasn’t so bad, so we’re trying to understand if we can improve a bit and, for sure, tomorrow we have to improve the start.” Randy De Puniet – 13th

“It was my best race in dry conditions. My first three laps were really bad, I was last, but I had a better feeling after a few laps and overtook some riders. In the end I finished 13th, even though it’s not a great result, it’s much better than before. I followed many riders, so the target tomorrow is to start better and keep the rhythm I found after three laps today. I will try for the top 10 because I think I can do it.”

#ValenciaGP #MotoE Quali. Double Top 10 finish for Alex and Josh in qualifying for the last round of 2019 MotoE season

Courtesy of Octo Pramac MotoE

Alex De Angelis and Josh Hook will start respectively from the third and fourth row in the last two races of the 2019 MotoE season scheduled tomorrow at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia.

De Angelis was very strong in the free practice of #ValenciaGP. A little mistake in turn 4 caused him to lose precious tenths of a second without compromising a good qualifying position (P9).

Great progress for Josh Hook who has been at ease on the Energica Ego Corsa since the first free practice. The Australian was in the parc fermè for a long time and then finished with a precious 10th place.

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P9 – Alex De Angelis

I could have done better but I lost control of the rear in qualifying and this did not allow me to stay in the first two rows. The feeling is still very good and I think I can be very competitive tomorrow.

P10 – Josh Hook

We’ve made great step forward. I felt comfortable in free practice. The E-pole is always very demanding on its own. I am still very confident because I have found the best feeling since the start of the season.

MIXED DAY FOR LCR E-TEAM RACERS IN VALENCIA

Courtesy of LCR MotoE Team

It was a day of contrasting fortunes for the LCR E-Team riders Niccolò Canepa and Randy de Puniet in Valencia on Friday as the grid was set for the weekend’s FIM Enel MotoE™ World Cup.   Canepa will start both the weekend’s races from seventh on the grid after a fine performance in the E-Pole session. The Italian was sixth fastest in FP2 and maintained that pace in the one-lap qualifying shoot-out despite a couple of early errors. De Puniet was also in the top 10 during the FP2 session, finishing ninth, and seemed set to secure an advantageous position on the grid for the weekend’s racing. However, he was unable to find his best rhythm during E-Pole and had to settle for 16 th spot. The Frenchman is now determined to ensure he gets off to a good start in Saturday’s opening race to challenge for a top-10 position. Niccolò Canepa – 7th (1’42.042 – lap 2 of 3) “I’m not 100% satisfied because I made a couple of mistakes at the start of the lap, so I lost quite a lot of time and missed out on the second row. The key point for tomorrow will be to have a good start, but the positive is that I’m very strong riding alone. I was strong this morning, I was strong yesterday, so I’m ready to race.” Randy De Puniet – 16th (1’43.509 – lap 2 of 3)

“I’m disappointed about the qualification because the free practice was really good, I was in the top 10. I was not in a rhythm during E-Pole so it was difficult for me to make one fast lap time, I needed more laps to be confident. It’s a shame because we had good rhythm this morning, so tomorrow I now hope to make a good start and fight for the top 10. I think that’s possible, we’ll see tomorrow, but for sure the start will be important for me.”

Rea And Lowes Complete First Joint Test Sessions

Courtesy of KRT – Kawasaki Racing Team

onathan Rea and Alex Lowes have completed successful tests at Motorland Aragon in Spain, in changeable track conditions, as the new KRT pairing took their first steps toward the 2020 FIM Superbike World Championship season.

Five-time World Champion Rea set a best lap time of 1’50.416 on day one of the test before opting to sit-out the wet start to day two, and ultimately the entire second day itself.
 
Rea had already tried some new set-up ideas and components on his championship-winning machine, and now looks forward to the next tests in Spain at the end of this month.
 
Lowes, taking part in his first tests on the official KRT Ninja ZX-10RR, took to the circuit each day and eventually reduced his best lap time to 1’50.653 when the weather improved this afternoon.
 
The 5.077km long Aragon circuit, in the north of Spain, provided a wide variety of different track conditions for the riders and the team’s technical staff to deal with over these first two days of winter testing, accelerating Lowes’ familiarity with his new machine.
 
After the completion of the Motorland Aragon tests the next track outing for Rea and Lowes will be another two-day test session, to be held at the Jerez de la Frontera circuit between 28 and 29 November.
 
Jonathan Rea, stated: “We have been a bit unlucky with the weather and the only track time we could use was in the afternoons. Even in windy and cold conditions we were able to be fast and we have a consistent understanding of some new components in our test plan. While we have nothing revolutionary to try we will continue to evaluate some ideas that we have to improve our ZX-10RR in the next tests at Jerez, where we hope to find consistent conditions to complete our test plan.”
 
Alex Lowes, stated: “It was a good test and great to get out on the bike. With the weather conditions we got one full day out of two days on track, but today was good. I am adapting to the bike really well and, more importantly, adapting to the team really well. They understand my comments and going forward that will be a big help to improve the bike set-up. I really enjoyed the bike and I feel that is a more natural way to ride for me. It was really positive and I am really happy to have started the next chapter with the KRT team. I am really happy and a big thank you to all the team for welcoming me at the first test.”
 
Pere Riba, Crew Chief for Jonathan Rea, stated: “We had a good test in general. The first day it started out wet, and then it was cold and very windy. In the end we put in some real priority items into the schedule yesterday because I knew it was going to rain again today and our time was going to be limited. We tried the biggest items and we will try them again in Jerez. The results were positive and Jonathan was fastest yesterday – and the most consistent – because he did many laps inside the 1’50s. He has a good feeling with the bike the way it is now. At Jerez we will have another two days to work with and I hope it will be dry to continue working for the new season.”
 
Marcel Duinker, Crew Chief for Alex Lowes, stated: “This test was a very nice experience. Of course the weather took away 50% of our track time but everybody is smiling, so this shows that everything was positive. I am impressed by the way Alex is building up his speed. He is able to give us very clear and to the point feedback. This is the way we need to work so that was very nice. He was able to go into the 1’50s fairly easily today. We are fully in schedule. He used a Q tyre to give Alex the first impression of what it does with this bike, just for information for the future. He understands how to extract more from it already. I am a happy man and that was a very pleasant first test with Alex.”
 
2019 KRT Rider WorldSBK Statistics
 
Jonathan Rea: World Champion 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019
2019: Races 37, Wins 18, Podiums 34, Superpoles 7
Career Race Wins: 88 (73 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 168 (126 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 23 (19 for Kawasaki)
 
Alex Lowes:
2019: Races: 37, Wins 0, Podiums 9, Superpoles 0
Career Race Wins: 1 (0 for Kawasaki)
Career Podiums: 20 (0 for Kawasaki)
Career Poles: 1 (0 for Kawasaki)
 
7 x Riders’ Championships (Scott Russell 1993, Tom Sykes 2013, Rea 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019), 1 x EVO Riders’ Championship (David Salom 2014)
5 x Manufacturers’ Championships (Ninja ZX-10R 2015 & 2016, Ninja ZX-10RR 2017, 2018 & 2019)
5 x Teams’ Championships (KRT/Provec Racing 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019)
 
Kawasaki FIM Superbike World Championship Statistics
Total Kawasaki Race Wins: 146 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Podiums: 433 – second overall
Total Kawasaki Poles: 88 – second overall