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Ai Ogura’s Stunning MotoGP Debut at Buriram

Ai Ogura’s recent performance at the Buriram circuit in Thailand has set the MotoGP paddock abuzz. Making his debut in the premier class, the Japanese rider secured an impressive fifth-place qualification during his very first attempt. His day continued to impress as he finished fourth in the sprint race, trailing only MotoGP heavyweights Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, and Francesco Bagnaia. In the main race on Sunday, Ogura clinched a commendable fifth-place finish, marking the most notable debut in MotoGP since Marc Marquez took third in Qatar back in 2013.

The announcement of Ogura’s promotion to MotoGP with Trackhouse Racing caught many by surprise, as it came amidst speculation about other potential candidates in Moto2, like Sergio Garcia and Tony Arbolino, who have remained in the intermediate class. The unexpected nature of his ascent has fueled interest in how Trackhouse’s leadership identified his potential months in advance of the announcement.

Key figures in the decision-making process were Davide Brivio, director of Aprilia’s satellite team, and Ogura’s manager, Jordi Pons. Brivio commented on Ogura’s talent, noting, “I hadn’t followed him closely in his earlier stages, but last year in Moto2, I was impressed by how he managed to get out of tough situations. His riding style appeared well-suited for MotoGP, and after discussions with Matteo Baiocco, we felt confident to pursue him. The fact that he was Japanese added an element of interest, though it did come with risks since we couldn’t evaluate him in testing beforehand.”

Though Brivio had the authority to make the call on Ogura, he still sought input from Aprilia before finalizing the agreement. With Trackhouse committed to covering Ogura’s salary alongside Raul Fernandez in 2025, they hoped to create a compelling team dynamic moving forward. Winning Ogura over, however, involved navigating complex emotions and professional relationships, particularly given his bold decision to part ways with Honda, who had supported his growth as a rider.

Ogura’s transition to the MT team in Moto2 was significant; leaving behind Honda was a major step, especially given his close ties with Hiroshi Aoyama, the director of Team Asia and a long-time friend of his father. Understanding the gravity of that decision, Pons highlighted the difficulty Ogura faced in choosing to leave a prominent manufacturer. “It must have been challenging for him to express that choice to Aoyama,” Pons shared.

When Brivio reached out to Pons about the opportunity, Ogura needed to make a decision swiftly regarding his future with Trackhouse and Aprilia. After a brief moment of contemplation, he expressed his commitment to the new direction, indicating his readiness to embrace the challenges of MotoGP.

Regarding Ogura’s character, both Brivio and Pons agree that he is a unique figure among Japanese riders. Brivio remarked, “We’ve discovered a diamond that needs polishing. He is not only humble but also sharp-witted. He learns quickly and continuously strives for improvement. After following behind Pecco, he applied what he learned in the race, leading to his fifth-place finish.”

Ogura’s debut has certainly made waves, and as he continues to adapt and grow in MotoGP, the motorsport community will closely watch his evolution as a rider.

In this article

Oriol Puigdemont

MotoGP

Ai Ogura

Trackhouse Racing Team

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