Zoom Yuki Takahashi

From Laguna onwards, the Scot Racing Team will continue with Gabor Talmacsi in the MotoGP class.

Due to unavoidable circumstances Yuki Takahashi will no longer ride with the team.

This decision was reached after exhaustive attempts to find a way to continue with two riders, but the economic realities facing the team, combined with the increased cost involved in running two riders, has led to this regrettable outcome.

"For Honda as well as the Scot Racing Team, this is a sad announcement", said HRC vice president Shuhei Nakamoto. "But we understand that the extremely challenging financial circumstances facing the team left them with no choice. Takahashi was the only Japanese rider in the MotoGP championship and of course Honda wanted to see him continue. But in the end the team made it clear that this outcome was impossible and we respect their decision. Honda will continue to support the Scot Racing Team in MotoGP with Gabor Talmacsi riding."

Talmacsi will have his hands full this weekend. Laguna doesn't host the 250cc and 125cc classes so the Hungarian hasn't previously seen the track, which isn't easy to learn, especially for a rider with only two previous races on a MotoGP bike. On the plus side, Talmacsi will now have two RC212Vs at his disposal.

"I never have been there. I'm really curious. I asked for information from my more experienced companions and everybody told me that Laguna is different and difficult. Well, the great majority of things are new for me in the MotoGP class. So, I'm getting used to facing new challenges”, said Talmacsi. “I will try to understand by myself as many things as I can about Laguna Seca, then I will knock on Nicky Hayden's motor home and ask for his advice; he declared himself glad to teach me the secrets of his home circuit. We reached a point at which I feel necessary to work a little bit more on the set-up, to improve my performances. In the first races, the target was simply - not to do silly things and learn as much as I could. Now I want to make a step ahead and leave the last position to some other guy."

© CAPSIS International