Somkiat Chantra is rumored to be the potential successor to Takaaki Nakagami at LCR Honda, potentially moving up to MotoGP in 2025. Although these are just rumors for now, the possibility is real, and the rider feels ready for the challenge.
In an interview with SPEEDWEEK.com, the Thai rider confirmed that there have been discussions: ‘It’s true, there’s been contact and discussions. And it’s possible that my big dream of competing in MotoGP could actually become a reality. All discussions with the team go through Hiroshi [Aoyama, manager]. He takes care of everything, and it’s great to have such support’.
MotoGP is the pinnacle of motorcycle racing, with bikes that are different and more demanding than the ones Chantra currently rides in Moto2. However, the rider assured that he is aware of the challenge and is not afraid to face it:
– I am aware of the challenge that MotoGP represents. Physically and athletically, it’s almost like a different sport. But I’ve dealt with this intensively. Of course, MotoGP is a different championship, but so far, I’ve always had very good experiences with powerful bikes. I’ve also tried to train with them before. They suit me.