LCR Honda hopeful of retaining Randy de Puniet

LCR Honda boss Lucio Cecchinello has told MCN he is confident Randy de Puniet will sign a new deal for 2010.

British GP podium finisher de Puniet is locked in talks with LCR Honda and Tech 3 Yamaha about a 2010 deal, but Cecchinello is confident he will be able to keep the French rider on an RC212V next year.

Cecchinello told MCN: “We have known Randy since 2002, and we have built up a straight and honest relationship. It seems also that the first option for him is to stay with LCR. But have to face not only sporting and technical issues but also economic issues, which at this moment I’m very sensitive about.

“We all know MotoGP is going through a very tough period and our economical offer has to be revised in a less expensive way. I believe that this is the only matter and I’m confident we can find a good compromise with Randy.”

Cecchinello had also been talking to Italian Marco Melandri but the former 250GP world champion signed a deal to return to the Gresini Honda squad during last weekend’s Czech Republic GP in Brno.