The LCR MotoGP team will field unchanged liveries for its riders Cal Crutchlow and Takaaki Nakagami for the 2019 season.
The Lucio Cecchinello-run outfit returned to fielding two machines last season, with Crutchlow running the latest spec Honda decked in a Givi-backed red and white livery, while rookie Takaaki Nakagami rode the 2017 RC213V in Idemitsu colours.
Crutchlow enjoyed a strong Sepang pre-season test two weeks ago, ending the three days sixth overall on his return to action after severely breaking his right ankle in a crash during the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
“I think Cal will once again be one of the fastest and most competitive riders in the championship,” said Cecchinello.
“Despite the serious injury sustained in Australia last October, Cal never gave up, and after several months of intensive training and physiotherapy he was back in great form at the Sepang test.
“By completing over 150 laps, he showed in that first test just how determined he is to gather vital data for the Team and the HRC technicians as they develop the 2019 RC213V Factory Spec bike.
“We are delighted to be working with him for a fifth consecutive year, and I want to thank Honda HRC for the crucial support they have provided since our debut in MotoGP (2006).
“A special thanks must also go to our long-term partners, as well as the new ones that have chosen to join us in our racing project. Now we just have to get going.”
Crutchlow has been directly contracted to HRC since last year, and will remain so until the end of 2020, which he admitted could well be his last in MotoGP.
On Nakagami, Cecchinello added: “We are very happy to continue working with Taka in 2019, and we will give him our best support to reach the apex of MotoGP.
“In 2018 Taka demonstrated his talent and his determination, finishing the year with an exceptional sixth place in Valencia and a sensational top spot in the Jerez winter test.
“Together with Honda HRC we truly believe in his potential, and we are sure he will get among the top ten this year. I want to thank all our partners, and in particular Idemitsu.”
Nakagami ended last November's Jerez test fastest of all on the 2018 Honda, and was ninth overall in Malaysia.
Testing resumes today at the Losail International Circuit in Qatar for three days, before the season gets underway at the same venue on March 10.
Discussion about this post