GIVI Magazine - Maggio 2018

TAKAAKI NAKAGAMI ENGLISH TEXT Hi Takaaki, thank you for granting us this exclusive interview for our magazine. Did you already know the GIVI brand before having the company as a sponsor? "This is an easy one: Absolutely yes. In the motorcycle world, GIVI is renowned global brand and consequently also in Japan. I remember visiting the GIVI stand when I was a kid at one of the local motorcycle shows. Even on the road it is really impossible not to notice the logo on the cases mounted on many scooters". Japan is very far from us here and not only in terms of distance. We are unsure whether Japanese youth shares the same tastes in terms of music, sport, and hobbies. What kind of guy are you? "I am a normal dude, “parachuted" into a continent which is at least 12 hours flight frommy home, but also different in many aspects ... starting from our cultures. When I started racing in Europe I was about 14 years old and started in the Spanish Championships; I knew neither English nor Spanish... maybe some words in Italian. The people I met during those first years were all really friendly and helped me integrate. Today I have a good knowledge of music, lifestyle and cuisine... to such an extent that anytime I return to Japan, after a couple of days I am already looking for an Italian or Spanish restaurant. I currently live in Barcelona and I feel great. The stress-free lifestyle of the Spaniards makes me feel very European. I have also become a fan of the legendary football team of this city. I like sports especially at the training level: I spend many hours in the gym and in winter I keep myself in shape doing motocross". One little personal question…. do you have a partner? "Ahhh ahhhh. Yes, I currently have a girlfriend... Your weight and height are slightly above average for a MotoGP rider. Is the analysis correct or are "restricted measurements" no longer an important parameter as they have been previously? "Well 175 cm in height and almost 70 kg inweight are not reallymeasurements of a giant. I'm average. In the months before the beginning of the season I had to tone my body more than when I was racing in Moto2. I feel good riding my RC213V and the feeling improves race by race". You began modestly in Qatar, by finishing 17th but you were able to slowly improve your placings in subsequent Grand Prix races. At Jerez you crossed the line in 12th place. You are rapidly improving. "Every championship race allows me to gain more experience. At the moment I can say that I have learned to "tame the bike". Now I have to concentrate on refining the ride. There are basically three steps: the bike, the track, and the other riders. My hope is to be among the top ten as soon as possible". As a rider having his first experience of MotoGP, what kind of feedback are you receiving? Does this circus meet your expectations? Does the experience match your expectations? "I am at the first experience in this category together with a new team. The MotoGP imposes great concentration and also physical fatigue. I brought some of the Moto2 riding style with me but the distance to cover is great. Beginning with the tyres: initially I used Dunlop and now Michelin. The significant improvements race by race help me gain confidence. Ultimately yes, what I'm experiencing meets my expectations". Tell us about a memorable experience during your time in Moto2? I raced in this category until last season, that is, for 6 years. Maybe a bit 'too many ("Ahhh ahhhh" he laughs). All in all, it was a very positive experience and I did have my satisfactions. A nice memory I have of Moto2? The Silverstone Grand Prix of 2017 which I won. During that weekend I had announced that I would be moving to MotoGP with the LCR Honda team and my victory demonstrated that I had all the credentials to step up my game". Apart from your privileged relationship with Cal, have you managed to make some friends? "I’m lucky to be in close contact with Cal. Besides being a friend, he behaves like a real teacher with me. Drawing on his experience, which is not just about Honda but also Ducati, Yamaha and then the Superbike world is priceless. Out of the paddock he’s a bit 'crazy' but really fun to be with. In broader terms, I have good relations mainly with the other HONDA- related riders, like Dani and Marc. The common link to the brand allows me to socialise with them more frequently than with other riders". Who’s your favourite rider, both currently and from the past? Daijiro Kato. When I was young, I really liked his style and personality. Unfortunately, he had a serious accident in Suzuka in 2003. I met him for the first time when I was 7 or 8 years old, visiting Motegi as a fan: he gave me a pair of boots which I still keep at home. Now I'm wearing a track suit with the number 74 because it was his number. There's another rider I'd like to mention being my best friend: Shoya Tomizawa. We were a little over 4 years old when we began "racing" together and since then we have shared many moments in this world, including the podium. Our dream was to challenge each other in MotoGP but Shoya died in 2010, on the track at Misano, due to a bad accident. I also found space on my suit to engrave his number, 48". SEE MORE PICTURES IS THE DEBUT RIDER OF THE TEAM RUN BY LUCIO CECCHINELLO AND HE WILL SOON BE ATTRACTING THE ATTENTION OF THE EUROPEAN MEDIA. IN THE MEANTIME, WE ASKED HIM TO TELL US A LITTLE MORE ABOUT HIMSELF. BEING JAPANESE AND ALMOST A EUROPEAN NATIONAL, NAKAGAMI SHOWS GREAT TENACITY, AMBITION AND A WILLINGNESS TO LEARN. MOREOVER HIS MENTOR IS A THOROUGHBRED WHO GOES BY THE NAME OF CAL! Givi Magazine May 2018 - Givi Interview  15