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The Idemitsu LCR team officially announced that Somkiat Chantra will be riding the Honda vacated by Takaaki Nakagami (who's going to be a tester for HRC). Somkiat will be the first Thai rider in history to race in the MotoGP.
The 25-year-old had competed in the Asia Talent Cup in 2015 and then switched to CEV the following season. In 2018, he had his first wild card in the Moto2, a class in which he's been racing regularly from the following year and in which he won 2 races.
"I'm thrilled to join the LCR team," Chantra said. "Getting into the MotoGP has always been my dream, and I'll finally achieve it. I want to thank all the sponsors and people who have supported me from the beginning of my career until now. For the upcoming season, I'm committed to learning, giving it my all, and enjoying this new adventure. It's going to be difficult, but I'll do my best."
Team Principal Lucio Cecchinello added, "First of all, I'd like to thank Takaaki Nakagami for his outstanding efforts over the past seven MotoGP seasons. We wish him the best in his next chapter with Honda. As for the future, alongside HRC, we believe the time has come to welcome a great Asian talent like Somkiat Chantra, who we believe deserves an opportunity at the highest level of two-wheel racing. In his years in the Moto2, he's shown that he has the potential and skills to grow and become a strong rider in the MotoGP. LCR and Honda will provide him with the best to support in the various stages of this new project."
