Ai Ogura: The Rising Star of Aprilia Trackhouse

USPA NEWS - In the recent Thai Grand Prix, Japanese rider Ai Ogura amazed the MotoGP world with an extraordinary performance. Making his debut in the premier class, Ogura secured an impressive fifth place with the Trackhouse Team, demonstrating maturity and speed. His performance confirmed expectations, marking him as one of the most promising talents of the season.

Performance in Thailand

Ai Ogura started the weekend with a second-row qualifying position, a result that surprised many. In the Sprint Race, he finished fourth, while in the main race he maintained a steady pace, finishing in fifth place. His ability to compete with the typically dominant Ducatis showcased his talent and determination. Aprilia Racing CEO, Massimo Rivola, praised Ogura for his clean riding and great confidence with the bike.

Ai Ogura's Professional Path Born in Tokyo on January 26, 2001, Ai Ogura began his career in youth competitions with pocket bikes in 2009. In 2015, he participated in the Asia Talent Cup, and in 2016 in the MotoGP Rookies Cup. After racing in the Moto3 category of the Spanish Speed Championship in 2017 and 2018, Ogura debuted in the Moto3 World Championship in 2018. In 2019, Ogura became a full-time rider in the Asia team, achieving good results with a Honda. However, it was in 2024 that he reached the pinnacle of his Moto2 career, winning the world championship. Despite a tempting offer from Honda to race in the premier class in 2023, Ogura chose to wait and perfect his skills. This decision proved successful, as he earned the opportunity to race with the Trackhouse Team on a competitive Aprilia.

The Aprilia Choice

Ogura's decision to decline Honda's offer and join Aprilia was bold and strategic. At that time, Honda was not in its best technical form. Conversely, Aprilia had proven to be a competitive bike, capable of challenging the dominant Ducatis. Trackhouse Racing team principal, Davide Brivio, placed his bet on Ogura, and the young rider repaid the trust with exceptional performances from his debut.

With his successful debut, expectations for Ai Ogura have significantly increased. The upcoming race in Argentina will be crucial in determining whether his success in Thailand was a one-off event or the beginning of a promising career in MotoGP. Ogura has shown his ability to adapt to difficult conditions, and his experience in Asian competitions could prove to be an advantage.

In conclusion, Ai Ogura has proven to be a valuable asset for Aprilia and a talent to watch in the 2025 MotoGP season. His choice to join Aprilia has proven to be a winning one, and his future in the premier class looks promising.