In 2018, the IDEMITSU MotoGP™ project was born with a noble mission: to serve as a springboard for future champions. It serves as a beacon of hope for young Asian riders by providing them with a platform to grow and learn at the highest level after competing in the Asian Talent Cup and other lower categories of the Road to MotoGP™ program.
Today, we are delighted to announce a new chapter in this journey. Thai rider Somkiat Chantra (Honda Team Asia), a promising talent in the world of MotoGP™, will join the IDEMITSU Honda LCR Team in 2025. This decision makes Somkiat Chantra the first Thai rider to enter the MotoGP™ class, which is a momentous occasion for our sport.
IDEMITSU, Honda and the LCR family welcome Somkiat Chantra and wish him the best for the future.
Lucio Cecchinello, team director: “First of all, I would like to thank Takaaki Nakagami for his unwavering commitment over the last seven MotoGP™ seasons together. We wish him all the best for his new chapter with Honda. Looking ahead, we believe it is time to welcome a great Asian talent like Somkiat Chantra to HRC as we believe he deserves an opportunity at the highest level of two-wheel racing. During his years in Moto2™, he has shown his potential and ability to evolve and become a top rider in MotoGP™. LCR and Honda will give their all to support him in the different phases of this new project.”
Somkiat Chantra: “I am very happy to join the LCR team. Entering MotoGP™ has always been my dream and I will finally make it come true. I would like to thank all the sponsors and all the people who have supported me from the beginning of my career until today. For next season, I am committed to learning, giving my all and enjoying this new adventure. It will be difficult, but I will give my best.”
