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Takaaki Nakagami has re-signed with LCR for the 2020 MotoGP season but will miss the final three races of 2019.
Nakagami will continue to ride a year-old Honda next year, which will be his third in MotoGP, having debuted with LCR last year.
However, the Japanese rider’s home race this weekend at Motegi will be his last of the current season due to upcoming shoulder surgery.
“First of all I am delighted to stay with Honda and the LCR Team,” said Nakagami.
“I have been able to improve a lot this year and Honda have shown me great support and given me a very strong package. I am sure together we can continue this in 2020.
“About the injury, after the crash I had in Assen I found myself in some pain and lacking a bit of strength in my shoulder.
“I went to the doctor to fully understand the situation and while I have been able to ride with the injury, it has not been ideal so we made the difficult decision alongside Honda and the LCR Team to have this operation now.”
LCR boss Lucio Cecchinello added, “We are delighted to continue this project with Takaaki Nakagami, and hope to build even further on his impressive performance in 2019.
“Taka has demonstrated the ability to fight in the top ten of the MotoGP world championship every race weekend and together with HRC we will set the goal of taking another step forward.
“In 2020, Taka will compete with the RCV Factory motorcycle that has just won the 2019 world title with Marc Marquez.
“Next season will be particularly important so, although we are sorry about the early end to Taka’s season, we are convinced that the decision to undergo surgery after the Japanese GP is the correct one, so that he can return to the best physical condition by the time of the first test in Malaysia in February.”
There is no word on Nakagami’s replacement for Australia, Malaysia, or Valencia.
The 27-year-old is currently 12th in the championship, three positions behind team-mate Cal Crutchlow, with nine top 10 finishes.
