Alberto Puig on the Honda disaster involving an injured Nakagami: “Very unfortunate”

The Japanese Grand Prix had only been underway for a few minutes when Honda wildcard rider Taka Nakagami crashed off his RC213V. Nakagami, who had shone at the Red Bull Ring just under two weeks ago (Nakagami finished 13th ahead of regular rider Marini) and who knows the Mobility Resort in Motegi inside out as a Honda employee, broke his collarbone in the highside crash.

The incident is particularly bitter in many respects. Not only will Japanese fans have to do without a national hero at their home race, but Nakagami’s withdrawal hits Honda on several fronts. This is because Honda’s regular rider, Joan Mir, has also been absent for weeks. The Mallorcan is out until further notice due to an illness that has yet to be officially diagnosed. I – who, to the delight of Honda’s management, finished third in the Grand Prix 12 months ago – was most recently stood in for by Nakagami, and at Motegi by Superbike rider Somkiat Chantra.

However, the Thai rider is only available for one race for the time being. This is because Chantra has to return to riding the Superbike Honda in Portugal as early as next weekend. Honda must therefore once again find a replacement for me. In the case of back-to-back races – according to the rules – however, a replacement rider does not need to be fielded. For the world’s largest manufacturer, which is celebrating 60 years of involvement in the premier class in Japan, and the official works team, this is nevertheless a scenario that must be avoided.

Taka Nakagami verletzte sich im FP1

Foto: Gold and Goose

The Japanese are hit even harder by the ‘850’ development project. As reported on SPEEDWEEK.com, Nakagami has long taken on the leading role in testing, partly due to the serious injury sustained by second test rider Aleix Espargaró. Nakagami has the most experience with this new development, which is immensely important for Honda, and was also scheduled for further tests with the 850 following the Japanese Grand Prix.

Topic of the week

Nicolo Bulega: Toprak’s successor will not fail in MotoGP

The Italian Nicolo Bulega is the first rider to have won the world title in both the Supersport and Superbike classes; from 2027, he will be racing in MotoGP. His performances this season are second to none.

Ivo Schützbach

Read More

TV Program

Today

Motegi: International Livestream

MotoGP World Championship

03.10.2026 - 01:35

The 1000cc reserve rider and 850cc test leader is out of action

Honda manager Alberto Puig confirmed the severity of the incident in FP1. Speaking in front of the live MotoGP cameras, Puig said: “Unfortunately, Taka has been injured. It was very unfortunate; he was on his first lap and the track was still a bit damp – a real stroke of bad luck. For him personally too – because missing his home race is tough.”

And with regard to the development project: “Even with a successful operation, it will take four to five weeks before he’s fit to race again; that’s the reality. Aleix Espargaró is also part of the test programme, though he’s not quite at 100 per cent yet. Aleix is motivated and a true professional; now we’ll have to see how things pan out with the resources we currently have.”

Things continued to be turbulent. Marini, Zarco and Moreira also went off the track during qualifying. The good news is that rookie Moreira and veteran Zarco both made it straight through to the second qualifying session.