Nakagami undergoes successful shoulder surgery
LCR Honda rider Takaaki Nakagami underwent surgery on his right shoulder on Tuesday after cutting his MotoGP season short to deal with the injury.
Nakagami opted to skip the final three rounds of the year in Australia, Malaysia and Valencia, making his final appearance of the 2019 campaign at his home race in Japan.
There, he struggled to 16th place, admitting the pain in his shoulder - caused by his crash with Valentino Rossi during June's Dutch TT at Assen - affected his speed.
In the wake of last weekend's Phillip Island race, where Nakagami was replaced on LCR's year-old Honda by ex-KTM rider Johann Zarco, the 27-year-old's operation took place at Funabashi Orthopedic Surgical Hospital in Chiba on Tuesday.
Dr. Hiroyuki Sugaya, who performed the surgery, said: "[Nakagami] had severe cartilage damage in the shoulder, so I removed the damaged cartilage to mobilise [the shoulder].
"The final outcome looks very nice, so I think he will be ok for the next MotoGP season.”
Nakagami himself added: "I’m really grateful to Doctor Sugaya. I’ll start physiotherapy when I can and will hopefully be fit and well as soon as possible.
"I want to thank [sponsor] IDEMITSU, HRC and LCR for understanding my decision and for giving me their support. I can’t wait to be back for the Sepang test [in February].”
The highlight of Nakagami's truncated campaign was a fifth place at Mugello, where he beat LCR teammate Cal Crutchlow. He scored a total of 74 points, more than doubling the tally he scored in his debut MotoGP season last year despite missing three races.
He will again race a year-old Honda bike for LCR in 2020.
Takaaki Nakagami, Team LCR Honda
Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images
Previous article
Honda: Teams' title would be "incredible" in current situation
Next article
Dovizioso "not that happy" to seal runner-up spot
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Takaaki Nakagami |
| Teams | Team LCR |
| Author | Jamie Klein |
Repsol Honda Team - Pol Espargaró Q&A
Repsol Honda Team - Marc Marquez Q&A
Why Alex Marquez doesn't care about 'shutting up' MotoGP critics
Alex Marquez's form was one of MotoGP 2020's biggest surprises and, by firmly stepping out of his six-time world champion brother Marc's shadow, he proved a few people wrong. Not that he cares about this, as he tells Lewis Duncan
How Yamaha's new MotoGP era can unchain Vinales
After the electrifying start to his Yamaha MotoGP career in 2017, Maverick Vinales has struggled for consistency. Many anticipate that the arrival of Fabio Quartararo could spell disaster, but the departure of Valentino Rossi could be just the impetus he needs.
Does KTM really need 'super engine' for MotoGP title challenge?
Fears from rival MotoGP manufacturers that KTM would build a 'super engine' for 2021 have ultimately come to nothing with the revealation that the RC16 hasn't been radically changed over the winter. But does it really need that to win the title?
How Ducati's latest Aussie union can return it to MotoGP glory
Australians on Ducatis is an iconic partnership, the marque's last one yielding its sole MotoGP crown to date. But its latest Aussie union with the often underestimated Jack Miller can end this drought.
The "balls out" battle between MotoGP's true greats
Senna vs Prost is regularly cited as motorsport's greatest rivalry. But it can easily be argued Rainey vs Schwantz can stake that claim. That rivalry was in full swing during the 1991 500cc season, remembered fondly by both stars 30 years on...
The "warrior" MotoGP rookie KTM was right to back
The 2020 MotoGP campaign featured a standout pair of rookies, but one flew under the radar as he adjusted to a shock step-up armed with very little racing experience. However as his veteran team boss explains, the faith shown in him was not misplaced
Why Suzuki's Brivio replacement must come from within
With its charismatic leader Davide Brivio leaving for Formula 1, the Suzuki MotoGP squad he turned into a world championship-winning force in 2020 has a major recruitment headache that it needs to resolve carefully.
Why Alpine's latest signing could be its best hope of F1 glory
The return of Fernando Alonso to the renamed Alpine team is a sure sign of the team's ambition. But its latest appointment from MotoGP could be an even bigger coup as it seeks to end a barren run stretching back to Alonso's 2006 world title
