Nakagami finds 'set-up, front end' improvements in Mandalika

Like day three pacesetter at the Mandalika MotoGP test and fellow Honda rider Pol Espargaro, Takaaki Nakagami feels ready for the season opener in Qatar. 

Nakagami, who completed the most amount of laps during the final day (91), continued his solid form from Sepang as he gets ready for season #5 in MotoGP and with LCR Honda.

While the Japanese rider’s P15 finish is anything but spectacular, Nakagami focused predominantly on finding a better front end feeling and overall set-up for the race, as opposed to time attack performance. 

With Honda seemingly possessing one of the better bikes on the grid heading into the season opener in Qatar, Nakagami’s MotoGP podium drought is one that could and perhaps should end sooner rather than later. 

Speaking after the test, Nakagami said: "Was a long day today. We completed 91 laps today. We did a race simulation in the morning and it was pretty good, good pace. 

"Then during the day we tried to find a set-up on the bike and tried a different geometry on the bike. Then we tried to improve the feeling with the front. 

"By the end of the day we were able to improve the front end feeling and I’m quite happy about how we ended. I feel like I’m ready for the Qatar race and I’m really looking forward to going there. 

"I want to say a really big thanks to all my team for these three days. They worked really hard these three days, so big thanks to them. That’s it, I’m really excited for Qatar." 

On the other side of the LCR Honda garage, Alex Marquez was once again very close to Nakagami’s fastest time. 

The two were split by just +0.062s, while Marquez said the performance as opposed to his final position in testing was the most ‘important’ takeaway. 

"Okay, third day and last day of the test. I’m quite happy," added the former 2019 Moto2 champion. "We did another amazing job with the team. I need to congratulate the team first because they did a great job during all the pre-season. 

"They have been really focused, changing the bike so many times. So thanks to all the mechanics. For me, it was a good day. In the morning we were able to make some time attacks, they were not perfect but not bad. I’m quite happy about that. 

"Later on  we did some long runs but already the body was tired from the three days and also the test in Malaysia. 

"But I have a good feeling, good performance and I’m ready for Qatar. This is the most important thing. We will try to analyse everything and be ready for the Qatar race."