MotoGP: Takaaki Nakagami to miss Argentina round after positive Covid-19 test

Takaaki Nakagami will not race at this weekend’s Grand Prix of Argentina after testing positive for Covid-19.

The LCR Honda rider tested positive on Monday and has since had two more positive test results, however the Japanese rider has not been suffering from any symptoms. Nakagami will not be replaced this weekend.

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“Unfortunately, I will not race this weekend in Argentina,” Nakagami said. “I am really sorry for my team, sponsors and fans. I don’t have any symptoms and I am feeling good”

Nakagami started the new season off with a 10^th place finish in Qatar, but struggled in the wet conditions at the new Mandalika Street Circuit in Indonesian, coming home 19^th.

Nakagami’s withdrawal from round three of the MotoGP season means that Honda are without two of their full-time riders. Marc Marquez was ruled out earlier in the week due to his on-going eyesight problems and will once again be replaced by Stefan Bradl in Argentina.

Marquez is suffering from a third case of diplopia (double vision) following his huge highside during the warm-up session at the Indonesian Grand Prix. The Spaniard also suffered a concussion in that accident. Come Sunday, Marquez will have missed four of the last five races through injury.

John McPhee will also miss the third race of the year. The Moto3 rider is still recovering from the two fractured vertebrae that he suffered in a training accident after the opening race of the season.