LCR Honda announces Moto2 champion Augusto Fernandez as its first-ever MotoGP rider
Ai Ogura to join Fernandez in LCR's new-look line-up for next season
LCR Honda has made a stunning move by signing Moto2 world champion Augusto Fernandez for its MotoGP team in 2023.
The Spaniard will make his premier class debut next season alongside Ai Ogura, who has been promoted from the team's Moto2 squad.
Fernandez, 24, won the Moto2 title in 2022 with a dominant performance, winning eight races and finishing on the podium 15 times.
He is regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in motorcycle racing and is expected to make a big impact in MotoGP.
Ogura, 21, is also a highly-rated rider and has impressed in Moto2 this season, winning three races and finishing on the podium six times.
The Japanese rider will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Takaaki Nakagami, who has been LCR's sole rider in MotoGP since 2018.
Nakagami, 30, has announced that he will be leaving LCR at the end of the season.
He has not yet announced his future plans, but it is believed that he could move to a satellite Ducati team.
LCR Honda's decision to sign Fernandez and Ogura is a sign of their commitment to developing young talent.
The team has a long history of success in MotoGP, having won the title with Casey Stoner in 2007.
In recent years, LCR has been a competitive force in the midfield, with Nakagami regularly finishing in the top 10.
The signing of Fernandez and Ogura is a clear indication that LCR is aiming to challenge for the podium in the future.
The 2023 MotoGP season is set to begin in March.
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