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Somkiat Chantra will replace Takaaki Nakagami in the LCR Honda MotoGP team in 2025. Here’s everything you need to know about the move
MotoGP veteran Takaaki Nakagami will transition into a test role with IDEMITSU Honda LCR at the end of the season. Rookie Somkiat Chantra has been announced as his replacement for the 2025 MotoGP season, becoming the first Thai rider in the premier class. Nakagami, a 32-year-old with over 100 MotoGP starts, never made it onto the podium despite showing potential and securing a pole position. LCR Honda expressed gratitude for Nakagami’s contributions as he embarks on a new adventure as an HRC Development rider. Team owner Lucio Cecchinello emphasized that it’s not a goodbye for Nakagami but a transformation into a new role within the Honda Racing Corporation MotoGP development program. Despite Nakagami stepping aside, his legacy in MotoGP continues while Somkiat Chantra prepares to make his mark in the premier class.
