MotoGP: Takaaki Nakagami to stay at LCR Honda in 2024

The MotoGP rider announcements continue. This time it’s the turn of Team LCR Honda, which has now confirmed Takaaki Nakagami for the 2024 season.

The Japanese rider will flank Johann Zarco, who comes to Lucio Cecchinello’s team to replace the departing Alex Rins, who is headed for the factory Yamaha squad.

Nakagami Honda-man

A contract renewal was almost inevitable for Nakagami, who has been linked to the Tokyo manufacturer since his arrival in the top class. "Taka" plays a key role for Honda, because his experience aboard the RC213V can now be useful in terms of developing the 2024 version, a highly-anticipated prototype considering the difficulties the manufacturer has been having this season.

The recent tests completed at Misano failed to instill the desired level of optimism, but more new parts are expected during the post-season test at Valencia.

"Taka" remains with LCR

Born in Chiba, Japan on 9 February 1992, Nakagami debuted in MotoGP in 2018, in LCR colours. His partnership with the Italian squad has continued for six consecutive seasons (seven in 2024), with 2020 proving to be his strongest year, thanks to a pole position at Aragon and two fourth place finishes in the Andalusian and European races.

Takaaki currently lies seventeenth in the general standings, an eighth place in the long race at Assen his best result so far this season.