Herve Poncharal has now shared how Lucio Cecchinello reacted to being asked to replace him as IRTA president

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After 20 years as president of the International Road-Racing Teams Association, and eight more as a committee member, Herve Poncharal will step down at the end of the 2025 season.

The 68-year-old will finally relinquish his position after helping to maintain peace in MotoGP for the last two decades.

During that time, he has also successfully run the sport’s oldest team – Tech3, and nurtured talents such as Andrea Dovizioso and Pedro Acosta.

Inevitably, Poncharal was not going to be able to do another 20 years in the role and it was important for him to help select a suitable successor.

Poncharal sent Enea Bastianini a blunt warning after his new signing struggled to start the 2025 season, and he’s no stranger to helping riders through tough times.

His passion for motorcycle racing still burns strongly. Especially since Poncharal didn’t sleep ‘a wink’ following Maverick Vinales’ Grand Prix of Qatar disqualification, which stripped his team of a special podium.

READ MORE: Herve Poncharal shares what Maverick Vinales has privately told him about his KTM Tech3 bike after switching MotoGP teams in 2025

How Lucio Cecchinello reacted to Herve Poncharal asking him to be the new IRTA president

While Tech3 are the oldest team, the longest-running satellite team in the sport is the LCR Team, who just emphatically secured their first victory for two years at the French Grand Prix.

Their boss is Lucio Cecchinello, who set the team up in 1996, racing in 125cc and 250cc before making the big leap to MotoGP in 2006.

Throughout that period, they’ve held a strong relationship with Honda, despite going through a tough spell recently, in particular.

Speaking to Speedweek, Poncharal revealed how the 55-year-old reacted to him asking him to take over the role of IRTA president.

“At first, Lucio was very reserved, but not hostile,” he said. “After talking with me and Carmelo, he gave his approval. And so I swapped my name for his on the candidate list. He’s still there, alone on the candidate list.

“But perhaps another candidate will come forward by the deadline of May 21? One thing is certain: I’ll resign from the position. I’ll probably shed a tear, but it’s the right time for this change.”

READ MORE: Herve Poncharal tips his hat to Tech3 competitor who has made a ‘stratospheric’ improvement in 2025

What would Lucio Cecchinello’s role as president of IRTA involve?

IRTA was formed back in 1986, meaning that Poncharal has been the leader of the association for more than half of its existence.

It was formed to protect the interests of all riders, teams and services in the sport. Usually, a new president can be re-elected after two years.

It speaks volumes about Poncharal’s popularity in the role, and just as much about his possible replacement.

Cecchinello will be a key cog in negotiations with Dorna/Liberty Media if and when their takeover is completed.