NAGASHIMA TO REPLACE NAKAGAMI AT THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 

10 October 2022

Following doctors’ recommendations, Takaaki Nakagami  will miss the 18th round of the 2022 MotoGP World Championship at Phillip Island in Australia. Tetsuta Nagashima will once again stand in for his compatriot as Taka recovers from the operation he underwent after the Japanese GP.

Despite an unfortunate crash at the Aragon GP last month, Nakagami bravely competed at his home GP in Motegi. However, but due to the condition of his hand injury after the race, it was decided that he required another surgery which consisted of a skin graft to help close the wounds on his 4th and 5th fingers.

Nakagami missed the #ThaiGP and spent several days at the Chiba University Hospital recovering. After his medical check this morning, he confirmed to LCR Honda IDEMITSU Team Principal Lucio Cecchinello that he will not race at the Australian GP this week. He hopes to return to racing action in the Malaysian GP next week, but will have to undergo yet another medical check with a specialist next Monday.

Following that advice, he will then decide if it’s possible to race at the Malaysian GP.

Takaaki Nakagami

“After the Japanese GP I had another surgery on my fingers and they are getting better day by day but it is still a bit difficult to grab some items. I feel fine, I don’t feel any pain but the doctor recommended that I have to rest at least two more weeks which means that I will miss the Australian GP. Next Monday I have another medical check to take out the stitches and then we’ll decide if I can race in Malaysia. Meantime, I wish to Nagashima san and my team all the best in Phillip Island.”