After his new teammate Alex Marquez presented his new war paint the day before, it was Takaaki Nakagami's turn to reveal the new dress of his RC213V, promised to be the latest generation Honda. The least we can say is that there was no surprise, the decoration shown being exactly that, more or less, seen during other seasons at LCR. But the results will have to be different...
This was the common thread of this new presentation for the 2021 season of MotoGP : This year, Takaaki Nakagami will have to play up front. And first of all because Honda gives him the means. The boss Lucio Cecchinello commented: “ Over the past season, Taka has made great strides, showing himself ready to fight for the top spots. In 2021 he will have the same bike as the factory riders for the first time, so I think and hope that we can fight to get on the podium on more than one occasion ».
A clear message relayed by the Japanese: “ I'm really excited, thank you everyone for this opportunity. We never give up and I think we can show our true potential this season and I hope we can aim for podiums and victories. We keep pushing and having fun ».
« I never lost confidence in myself, last year we took a big step forward compared to 2019, I had great support from Honda HRC and Idemitsu. We believe in ourselves and always aim to show our true potential. I always think about how I can improve my riding style ».
He adds in a personal capacity: “ my preparation is quite simple but difficult, we always travel. I live in Spain but after the season I always go back to Japan and stay for a month with my friends and family. Then, around February, I return to Spain to prepare for the new season. Then you start traveling until November, I never stop, I always think about how to improve ».
Nakagami: “I want to do my best for podiums, and maybe victories”
« I am very happy to be able to start a new season in MotoGP » he admits. “ The team believes in me a lot and that allows me to always race in the best conditions. This year I will also have the latest version of the RCV-213, so I want to do my best to give Lucio podiums, and maybe victories ».
As a good Japanese, Nakagami has led a cautious and moderate life since childhood, with the set goal of becoming faster and faster behind a handlebar: “ like all runners, I always think about how to improve day by day. I've been thinking about motorcycles since I was a kid ». Nakagami will once again wear the number 30, the origin of which dates back to Taka's first experience in Europe. “ The team manager of my first team in the Spanish championship was Alberto Puig. He gave me this number, and out of respect I wanted to keep it until today ».
We will remind you that the coming season will be 25e of the LCR team in the World Championship, a figure which cannot fail to confirm the seriousness and value of the Italian structure. “ I feel happy and proud to be in the MotoGP paddock for so many years, and I sincerely hope to achieve new successes with Taka » concluded the boss Cecchinello.
