After 20 years as president, Hervé Poncharal will step down as head of IRTA.

He had been at the head of the IRTA (International Road-Racing Teams Association) since 2005. Frenchman Hervé Poncharal has decided to step down after twenty years as president. This is what he confirmed in a interview given to the media Speedweek. The boss of the Tech3 team, in MotoGP, now 68, has been a respected figure in the paddocks for many years.

But, for him, it is now time for a little renewal. "President, it sounds more extraordinary than it is. Ultimately, it's about being a credible representative of all the teams.", he humbly admits to our colleagues. In addition, he confirms having offered his resignation several times "in meetings, but I was always asked to continue".

Hervé Poncharal has already designated his successor

In any case, for Hervé Poncharal, all this has been well thought out, for some time even. "During the Argentine Grand Prix, a discussion took place in preparation for our May general meeting at Silverstone, which will also include the election of the president. The manufacturers wondered whether another candidate should assume the IRTA presidency. It was the ideal moment for me. I asked the members for suggestions and presented my positions.", he always specifies to Speedweek.

For the Frenchman, his replacement at the helm of IRTA is already found. He was even the one who suggested the name: Lucio Cecchinello. He explains why the current head of LCR Honda would be his ideal successor. "Besides the fact that Lucio has the second oldest team in the paddock and has driven himself, his history and working methods are comparable to mine," Poncharal believes.

The boss of Tech3 continues: “He knows all the aspects, the facets and is an old-school stable owner.” For the moment, the Italian, who was initially very reserved before accepting according to our colleagues, would be alone on the starting line. Unless a candidate declares himself by Wednesday, May 21, the deadline before the vote scheduled for Silverstone...

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