LCR Honda have released studio images of the MotoGP bikes of Cal Crutchlow and Takaaki Nakagami to be ridden in the 2019 season.
Among all the Honda riders competing in the 2019 MotoGP season, only Nakagami will be on the 2018 machinery backed by IDEMITSU with Crutchlow on the latest RCV213V – backed by Castrol – like the factory riders Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo.
With all the teams gearing for the second and final pre-season test to get underway in Qatar later today, LCR released studio images of their two bikes and the riders, each in their respective sponsored colours – much like what it was in 2018.
The livery remains the same for both riders as well with Crutchlow sporting the combination of orange, green and white along with bits of black, while Nakagami is in the usual combination of red and white of IDEMITSU.
“It’s my fifth year with LCR and I’m very, very pleased with the situation, it’s the longest I’ve ever stayed with any team,” said Crutchlow. “I’m thoroughly looking forward to my fifth season along with Lucio (Cecchinello) and the whole team, we all work hard together and I hope the team are looking forward to it just as much as me.
“Obviously I’ve only tried the new bike for three days in Malaysia so far, so it’s a little bit of a different feeling to 2018, but I’m looking forward to continuing to test here in Qatar and prepare for the 2019 season which starts in two weeks.
“My expectation for the season is to try and battle at the front as much as possible. I don’t know how long it will take for me to do that because of last season’s injury, maybe it will take me a while to get up to speed, but I expect to be near the front.”
The wait is over: feel the roar! Read @calcrutchlow and @LCecchinello comments before the start of @MotoGP 2019 season: https://t.co/a531ddPaig pic.twitter.com/AKSr3ThK5t
— LCR Honda MotoGP (@LCRHondaTeam) February 23, 2019
Nakagami added: “Of course, I expect a lot this season, it’s really important for me and the team. It’s my second year in MotoGP and that year of experience that I now have will help a lot, I understand the situations of MotoGP and how it works.
“There should be much less stress and I can focus on being stronger in all the races. I’m feeling calm, but the motivation is higher than last year. There are 19 races which is a very long season and it will be tough.
“But our target is to be always pushing for the top 10 and maybe in some races we can challenge for the top five or top six. Of course, I will always be looking for a podium finish and great results, so I’ll try my best.
“The winter tests really went really well in Valencia and Jerez and we did ok in Malaysia. I’m getting to understand the 2018 bike and also have a new crew chief with Giacomo (Guidotti).
“I’m really happy to stay with this team, all the staff are very professional, we have a good relationship and we’re feeling strong. Now I just have to take my strong performance from the winter into the new season and I’m really looking forward to it.”
The wait is over: feel the roar! Check more from @takanakagami30 and @LCecchinello before the @MotoGP 2019 season starts: https://t.co/t8RcvC94Zm pic.twitter.com/WVJZufxT3E
— LCR Honda MotoGP (@LCRHondaTeam) February 23, 2019
2019 MotoGP launches so far: