After his best season as a MotoGP rider, Takaaki Nakagami stays in familiar Idemitsu LCR colour🧸s but has𒉰 been upgraded to the latest Honda machinery for 2021.

Following Marc Marquez's injury, the Ja꧋panese finished as Honda's top rider with tenth place in the world championship, claiming a first MotoGP pole position along the way.

But hopes of a debut podium were repeatedly thwarted, most notably when he fell while leading on lap 1 at Aragon, and he has vowed to deal with the pressure better th🎃is season and capitalise on his proven s꧒peed.

"I'm really excited to have the latest bike," Nakagami said. "I want to say than♉ks for this opportunity. I hope to give poౠdiums and maybe even victories to Lucio."

A frontrunner in Moto2, Nakagami made his MotoGP debut with 🐓LCR in 2018, progressing from 20th in the world championship in his rookie season, to 13th and then the 10th overall last year.

Until now, Nakagami has always been using year-old machinery, but he made a clear step forward in response toꦑ extra HRC support after Marc Marquez was injured last year, con🐼vincing Honda to provide him with the latest bike for 2021.

"Taka made a big step forward last year, also with the support of HRC, showing the potential to fight for the podium and even victory," said team boss Lucio Cecchineജllo.

"Thisyear Taka has the same bike as the other Honda riders for the fir𒁏st time and I'm sure he has the potential to stay with the top riders and bring more podiums to LCR."

Alex Marquez is moving from 🌟Repsol Honda to ride alongside Nakagami this season, in ༺place of Cal Crutchlow. Marquez will also ride a 2021-spec Honda.