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