Stefan Bradl gets factory Honda support for 2014

Stefan Bradl has signed an agreement with Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) to be a 'factory supported' Honda rider with the LCR Team in the 2014 MotoGP World Championship.

Bradl stepped up to MotoGP with LCR, as the reigning Moto2 champion, this season where he finished eighth in the world championship and took a best finish of fourth.

The young German will now remain with the LCR team for at least beyond the end of his previous 2013 contract - and receive official HRC factory support.

"HRC's support was extremely important for me in my first season in the premier class and riding for the LCR Team has been a very positive experience for me: I am happy to continue with Lucio's Team and HRC for the next two years!" said Bradl.

With both Dani Pedrosa and Marc Marquez signed up for the factory Repsol Honda team until the end of 2014, Bradl has thus secured the next best thing to a full factory ride.

"Stefan, in his first season in the premier class, has demonstrated high skills, motivation and professionalism exceeding our initial expectations. We are happy to have fixed this deal to work with LCR and Stefan through to 2014," said HRC vice president Shuhei Nakamoto.

LCR team manager Lucio Cecchinello, whose team joined MotoGP to run Casey Stoner in 2006, added:

"Being a part of HRC's program and continuing our sport project with Stefan through to 2014 make us very happy and very proud because this deal gives us the chance to better plan our job aiming to close the championship in the top positions.

"Stefan has amazed everybody at his debut in 2012 and I am sure the best is yet to come".