Takaaki Nakagami's quest for a first MotoGP podium continues after dropping from third to seventh at Le Mans. LCR team-mate Alex Marquez claims his best result of the season so far, as the top Honda rider, in sixth.
'Alex also had many crashes so Lucio is smiling less, hopefully I can get a good result to make him more happy!' – ups and downs for Takaaki Nakagami on Wednesday at the Qatar MotoGP test.
After three seasons of moving up the championship table on year-old Honda machinery, Takaaki Nakagami gets his big chance for 2021 in the form of promotion to the latest-spec RCV.
After his best season as a MotoGP rider, Takaaki Nakagami stays in familiar Idemitsu LCR colours but has been upgraded to the latest Honda machinery for 2021.
By the time the chequered flag falls at the Doha Grand Prix, MotoGP riders will have completed at least five days of testing at the Losail circuit followed by six days of grand prix action, over the opening race weekends.
Honda has become the third factory - but first of the Japanese manufacturers - to officially confirm its continued presence in MotoGP by signing with Dorna for the next five-year contract cycle, from 2022-2026.
A clash between the 2021 MotoE calendar and World Endurance schedule, cited by Marc VDS for losing the services of Mike di Meglio and causing their MotoE withdraw, has now triggered an all-new line-up for the LCR squad.
LCR has become the latest team to officially confirm its place on the MotoGP grid for the next five-year contract cycle with Dorna and IRTA, from 2022-2026.
Visually, Alex Marquez looks smoother on a MotoGP bike than older brother, former team-mate and six-time world champion Marc. But Alex says the difference between them is not as big as it appears and largely down to being 10cm taller than his brother.
Takaaki Nakagami dominates Teruel MotoGP FP2 for LCR Honda as a dismal showing from Ducati sees five of its six bikes locked in the bottom five positions
Takaaki Nakagami has been officially confirmed as remaining at LCR Honda for the 2021 MotoGP season "and beyond". The Japanese is enjoying the best form of his MotoGP career this season, highlighted by a fourth-place finish in Andalucia and front row start in Styria.
Alex Marquez firmly makes his mark without big brother Marc's help as he notches up his first dry weather podium just a week after his maiden achievement in the wet
Takaaki Nakagami hasn't stood on the podium this year - unlike 15 of his rivals - but no DNFs put him fifth overall, even though he has only finished one race higher than that all year.
Takaaki Nakagami is targeting his first step upon a MotoGP podium at the Red Bull Ring this weekend after showing strong form for Honda in Styrian MotoGP FP1 and FP2
After struggling with his healing shoulder during the opening test of the year in Sepang, Takaaki Nakagami made swift progress during the final pre-season outing in Qatar.
Following the cancellation of Qatar for the MotoGP class and postponement of round two in Thailand, Lucio Cecchinello says that his LCR team is 'working as planned' but are 'ready to extend the racing season if needed'.
Takaaki Nakagami, who 'lost' one of his 2019-spec RCVs to Marc Marquez on the final day in Qatar, finished MotoGP pre-season testing just a fraction behind the reigning world champion.
Forced to halt testing early on day two due to arm injuries, Cal Crutchlow was back on track for a painful final day of MotoGP pre-season testing, in Qatar. The Englishman was to receive little obvious reward for his efforts, being left just 18th on the timesheets.