Nakagami enjoys 2019 Honda debut

Takaaki Nakagami may only have done 'three or four runs' on the 2019 Honda, during Monday's Catalunya MotoGP test, but the LCR set his best time of the day on the machine.

The Japanese, who races the 2018-spec bike, was given the chance to try one of team-mate Cal Crutchlow's 2019 bikes during the afternoon.

Nakagami enjoys 2019 Honda debut

Takaaki Nakagami may only have done 'three or four runs' on the 2019 Honda, during Monday's Catalunya MotoGP test, but the LCR set his best time of the day on the machine.

The Japanese, who races the 2018-spec bike, was given the chance to try one of team-mate Cal Crutchlow's 2019 bikes during the afternoon.

"First of all, a very important test for us because I think everybody knows that we tested a 2019 bike, which is Cal's bike, in the afternoon," Nakagami said.

"Only three or four runs. Just HRC asked me to test it and it was a positive.

"During the season we fight with the factory Hondas, so I saw the difference. Today we had chance to jump on this bike and I think it's a good package.

"Thanks to HRC for this opportunity. I'm pretty happy to end the weekend like this because with both my '18 bike and the '19 bike, the lap time was quite good."

Nakagami, who finished eighth in Sunday's race, set the seventh quickest lap time at the test, 0.588s from Yamaha's Maverick Vinales.

The engine-freeze rules mean Nakagami would not be able to switch to the 2019 bike during this season and so will be back on his usual bike at Assen.

"I think Assen is a nice layout. Physically it's quite hard, but maybe we have a chance because it has a not so long straight and the handling is quite good with our bike. So just I'm afraid of the weather conditions! But anyway, to finish the test like this is a really great job, so I'm looking forward to Assen."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Nakagami tries 2019 Honda. #CatalunyaTest

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