MotoGP: Takaaki Nakagami Confirmed for LCR Honda Seat in 2024, Where Else Can Marc Marquez Go?

Takaaki Nakagami and LCR Honda Idemitsu have agreed to extend their partnership through the 2024 season. After joining LCR Honda IDEMITSU in 2018, the 31-year-old Japanese rider has worked tirelessly to make every season count. Nakagami is one of the racers who is most familiar with the Honda machines, therefore the team and HRC have signed him up for another year of working on the bike and competing for the top spots. LCR Honda is certain that both Takaaki Nakagami and Johann Zarco will be great additions to the Honda team for the 2024 MotoGP season thanks to their extensive experience. The 2023 MotoGP season has been a nightmare for both the Japanese rider and Honda's other rider, but the addition of Zarco to the squad and his familiarity with the dominant Desmosedici machines should help turn things around.

MotoGP: LCR Honda and Takaaki Nakagami 

In 2018, Nakagami was the top rookie qualifier after making his debut in the premier class with LCR Honda Idemitsu. In 2019, Nakagami remained with LCR Honda Idemitsu, riding a 2018 RC213V, and the Japanese rider put together a strong season, finishing in the Top 10 on nine separate occasions with an impressive result of P5 at Mugello. Nakagami's season was cut short after the Japanese Grand Prix due to shoulder surgery. 

 

 

 

 

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LCR Honda Team Principal Lucio Cecchinello commented on Takaaki Nakagami's contract extension: "I'm proud to count on Nakagami for another year. He's a fast rider who can get good results, and alongside HRC, we believe it's time to keep pushing, as he's one of the most experienced guys with this bike. We will give our best to fight for the positions we aim for".

LCR Honda IDEMITSU rider said, "I feel LCR is part of my family, and of course, I'm excited to be with them for another season. I want to thank them and HRC for the opportunity, as I know we are a good match. Now it's time to work even harder to be ready for the future". 

MotoGP: Honda’s Misano Test

Prior to the test, there was plenty of discussion about Honda. Marc Marquez and Joan Mir, teammates on Repsol Honda, both rode the 2024 machine with the revised chassis, new tail unit, and new exhausts that HRC test rider and wild card Stefan Bradl utilised throughout the San Marino Grand Prix weekend. Before continuing his day's work in the garage, Mir took the "new" bike for a little spin around the track. While everything was going on, Marc Marquez completed a few runs on the machine and generated quite a bit of press interest in his findings.

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All of Honda's riders were underwhelmed with the initial 2024 RC213V prototype during the Misano test, and Marquez may not want to put up with another year of poor performance, high accident rates, and potential injuries. Even though Marquez has hinted on social media that he would leave Honda, the company is sure that he will remain until the conclusion of his contract in 2024.