Previewing this years MotoGP World Championship, LCR Honda manager Lucio Cecchinello has clearly expressed an improvement in performance form when compared to last year, thanks to Randy de Puniet’s major forward step in results.

In 2008, De Puniet gained 61 points in 18 events, ending 15th overall, where this season he has been able to take a points total of 88 in the previous 13 events, positioning him at eighth in the rankings, despite a left ankle injury occurring from a summer motocross incident.

The training accident was a disappointment arriving just days after De Puniet had a stage appearance for the sole time since uniting with LCR at the start of 2008, he has since teetered on the edge of the top ten as he struggles to overcome the injury.

Cecchinello comments, “Looking at our results compared to last year’s, it’s fair to say we have improved a lot. This year we were even able to reach the podium and do some top five results, which is great for a team like ours. Of course, in the last few races we were unlucky with Randy’s results and at Misano again he was forced off the track by Alex de Angelis and came back on the track last.”

“In general we’re happy though. The one tyre rule works, we agreed with it and I think it’s a positive development for the World Championship. Talking about Randy, we saw that he’s improved a lot compared to last year and also appears much more mature, so we’re definitely keen to continue with him next year.”

On the highlight for the squad until now, the Italian boss explains, “For sure, the podium in Donington was the best moment of the season so far, getting third place there was really great for us and even if the conditions were special with the rain, it was like a dream made true.”

Reviewing the end of the season, Cecchinello adds, “For the last four races, we have to be realistic because the top five riders are very strong and have very good bikes. Behind them there are also talented guys such as Colin Edwards, Marco Melandri and Loris Capirossi but I’m sure we can fight with them so we can be in the top seven or top eight of the championship.”