Two main sponsors, two presentations: the LCR team today revealed the colors of its new bikes, as usual for Lucio Cecchinello's team. First we saw Johann Zarco's iconic Honda Castrol (which you can see here), while now it's Takaaki Nakagami's turn, who has taken the wraps off the RC213V which instead has Idemitsu colours.
Unlike Zarco's LCR Castrol, Nakagami's Honda doesn't feature any major changes in terms of livery. The white and red of Idemitsu stand out, the main sponsor appearing on the sides of the bike. The black touch is not missing, which rises towards the fairing where there is the #30, which is now a tradition for the Honda satellite team. Very simple, clean livery, but with the main sponsor reigning supreme, both in terms of presence and in terms of colours.
If the Frenchman represents the big news at LCR, the Japanese rider is instead the continuity of the project. Nakagami is in his seventh year in MotoGP and has always raced with the LCR colours: this is a point of reference for the team, which on several occasions in recent years has counted on the contribution of the now veteran to raise the Honda colours.
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda, , Lucio Cecchinello team principal LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
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Photo by: LCR Team
“I am excited to start another season with Idemitsu LCR,” declares Nakagami. “I have been preparing all winter to arrive in good physical condition and be ready for the Sepang tests. I can't wait to start the championship in Qatar! This year is my seventh year in MotoGP and I have gained a lot of experience with Honda. It's the same team for years, I know them well, as does the RC213V. Every year the bike is an evolution, it goes faster and faster. I hope I can give my contribution, because my strong point is understanding the differences of the small parts and discovering the differences of the bike. The goal for this season is to win a race, my first! Then obviously also the podiums, focusing on myself to achieve the results I aim for.”
Only in 2019, Nakagami was forced to stop due to an injury in the final part of the season. On that occasion he was replaced by Johann Zarco and, ironically, the two became teammates. It's about circles closing and pasts returning to point to a bright future.
Lucio Cecchinello says: “We have big ambitions for this season, we've had a period of solid and hard work, so we can't wait to get started. Obviously you need a lot of energy, but also believing in the dream and the goal. One of my main tasks is to motivate my team and my drivers. It's a project we worked a lot on with Honda. We have worked on many details to improve the organization. The winter has been very busy and we are excited to get started.”
Expectations and goals are high: the 2024 RC213V showed good progress compared to last year's version in the Sepang tests. Now, both drivers will return to the track for the final tests before the start of the season. In fact, we will go to Qatar, where on 19 and 20 February Zarco and Nakagami will ride with the colors presented today and will continue to work to take further steps forward in view of the start of the season on 10 March in Lusail.
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