LCR Honda gets Playboy sponsorship

From motogp.com

Lucio Cecchinello’s premier class Honda satellite outfit LCR Honda is all geared up for the new season with a new bike and an exciting new sponsor.

As the team prepares for its fourth season in the premier class working closely with HRC, Cecchinello has reached an agreement with Playboy for the global brand’s licensees to act as ‘Event Title Sponsors’ at individual Grands Prix this season.

Randy de Puniet remains as Cecchinello’s sole rider in 2009 and the fiery Frenchman will have the famous bunny logo promoting Playboy Italy on his leathers and his 800cc RC212V in the early part of the year.

“We have been in touch with Playboy US for a long time and we have defined the guidelines of a project allowing us to start negotiations with some of this evergreen brand’s global licensees," Cecchinello explained. "Playboy Italy has positively assessed the project and confirmed the sponsorship for the early stage of the season (during the test in Jerez this weekend and the GPs in Japan and Spain as title sponsor) linking it to their activities in the view of relaunching the magazine in Italy.

“Currently, there are further ongoing negotiations with licensees in more countries, who have been presented with our ‘projects by event’ concept, which does not imply any millionaire investments.”

The Italian team boss also previewed the forthcoming season, ahead of the Official MotoGP Test in Jerez this weekend, acknowledging the need for an improvement in results after an inconsistent campaign for De Puniet last season. Cecchinello believes his rider will have more competitive machinery this season thanks to a step up in support from HRC.