Whilౠe his rivals head to this weekend's Malaysian MotoGP, Takaaki Nakagami has his sights set on an♕other Sepang date after undergoing surgery on his injured right shoulder yesterday (Tuesday) in Japan.

The 27-year-old decided to head for an early operation - even though it meant sacrificing the final three rounds of this season - due to his deteriorating co♊ndition and to ensure he is fit for the opening 2020 pre-season test, to be held at the same Malaysian circuit from February 7-9.

Nakagami was operated on by Doctor Hiroyuki Sugaya at the Fꦆuna𒊎bashi Orthopedic Surgical Hospital.

“I’ve finished surgery༺ on Mr Nakagami and he had severe cꦐartilage damage in the shoulder, so I removed the damaged cartilage to mobilise [the shoulder]," Dr Sugaya said. "The final outcome looks very nice, so I think he will be ok for the next MotoGP season.”

Nakagami, competing in his second premier class season, added: “Yesterday I had surgery and it was successful. I’m really grateful to Doctor Sugaya. I’ll start physiothe🧸rapy when I can and will hopefully be fit and well as soon as possible.

"I want to thank IDEMITSU, HRC and the LCR team for understanding my decision and for giving me tꦰheir support. I can’t wait to be back for the Sepang test.”

Johann Zarco - who split from the factory KTM team after Misano - is replacing Nakagami for the final three rounds of this season, at Phillip Island, Sepang and Valen𝄹cia.

The Frenchman qu🅷alified 14th and finished 13th last Sunday at Phillip Island, is riding Nak🔜agami's 2018-spec RC213V.