MotoGP Rider Confirms Retirement: 'Decided To End My Career'

Alex Harrington | Aug 29, 2024

Apr 14, 2023; Austin, TX, USA; Sefan Bradl (6) of Germany and Repsol Honda Team and Takaaki Nakagami (30) of Japan and LCR Honda Idemitsu round turn 15 during the MotoGP first free practice at Circuit of the Americas. Mandatory Credit: Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports / Dustin Safranek-USA TODAY Sports

Takaaki Nakagami, the MotoGP rider, has officially announced he will retire from racing at the conclusion of the 2024 season. Revealing his future plans, Nakagami is set to transition into a development role with Honda Racing Corporation starting in 2025.

Nakagami expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the support received over his racing career via MotoGP.

"I've decided to end my career as a MotoGP rider at the end of the 2024 season. I want to express my sincere gratitude to all the fans who have warmly supported me," he stated. The Japanese rider also highlighted the significant backing from IDEMITSU and HONDA throughout his career, which spanned over seven years with LCR Honda. "From 2025, I will be involved in the development of HRC machines. It is gratifying to make use of my seven years of experience at MotoGP; I'm excited about my new chapter," he added.

Lucio Cecchinello, the Team Principal of LCR, also commented on Nakagami’s impending role change, highlighting it as a transformation rather than an outright departure.

"It's not a goodbye, it's a 'see you very soon'! Our bond with Nakagami hasn't finished; it's just about to be transformed, as we will continue to see him inside the HRC MotoGP developing program," Cecchinello elaborated.

Nakagami's career in MotoGP has been full, if not star-studded. Entering the elite class in 2018, he has shown flashes of brilliance, like his pole position at Aragon in 2020, where he nearly captured a podium finish before a crash thwarted his lead. Despite such setbacks, his consistent presence has been a staple on the race tracks.

The decision to move into a development role mirrors a growing trend among MotoGP riders. Similar to Aleix Espargaro, who will also join Honda’s European test team alongside Stefan Bradl, Nakagami will employ his extensive racing experience to enhance HRC’s future motorcycle innovations. Moreover, he plans to stay connected to the racing world by participating in selected races as a wild-card entrant.

This transition is significant for the LCR Honda team as it prepares Somkiat Chantra to take over Nakagami's spot in the upcoming season.

Reflecting on his journey and future contributions, Nakagami shared:

"Finally, I want to thank Lucio and the whole LCR because I've felt like part of a family, and these years have been incredible with them; they will always be in my heart!" Cecchinello reciprocated these sentiments, noting:

"The past seven years have been significant for the LCR family. Taka is a great, fast rider and an amazing person, working with him has been an absolute pleasure."