MotoGP: Bradl on a Factory-Supported Honda Thru 2014

HRC has announced that it has signed Stefan Bradl as a “factory-supported” rider through the 2014 season. The move is surely a reward for Bradl, who easily claimed MotoGP’s “Rookie of the Year” distinction, and perhaps more importantly, showed extreme talent aboard the Honda RC213V.

Said to already have been using a factory-spec frame (Dani Pedrosa’s rejects) for the latter part of the season, it is not clear how much this announcement will change Bradl’s true support from HRC, but it certainly can’t hurt the young German’s chances. Bradl will stay within the LCR Honda team in 2013 & 2014.

“HRC’s support was extremely important for me in my first season in the premier class and riding for the LCR Team has been a very positive experience for me: I am happy to continue with Lucio’s Team and HRC for the next two years!” said Bradl.

“Stefan, in his first season in the premier class, has demonstrated high skills, motivation and professionalism exceeding our initial expectations,” explained HRC Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto. “We are happy to have fixed this deal to work with LCR and Stefan through to 2014.”

“Being a part of HRC’s program and continuing our sport project with Stefan through to 2014 make us very happy and very proud because this deal gives us the chance to better plan our job aiming to close the championship in the top positions,” added LCR Team Manager Lucio Cecchinello. “Stefan has amazed everybody at his debut in 2012 and I am sure the best is yet to come.”