A rookie making headlines in Buriram

Ai Ogura impresses with top-five finishes in Buriram, marking one of the best MotoGP rookie debuts in years.

Ai Ogura of Japan and Trackhouse MotoGP Team rides during the practice session of the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix at Buriram International Circuit in Buriram on February 28, 2025. Photo by Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

The opening round of the 2025 MotoGP season saw a breakout performance from Ai Ogura, a name that may have been unfamiliar to many before the Thailand Grand Prix. However, after a stellar debut weekend at the Buriram circuit, the Japanese rider is now at the center of attention.

Ogura showed promise in pre-season testing, but it was during the first practice session in Buriram that he truly made his mark. Consistently finishing within the top nine throughout the weekend, he qualified in an impressive fifth position. He then backed up his pace with a fourth-place finish in the sprint race and a fifth-place result in the main race on Sunday.

What made his performance even more remarkable was his dominance over his fellow Aprilia riders. While Marco Bezzecchi finished just behind him in sixth, he trailed Ogura by more than seven seconds. Raúl Fernández, meanwhile, struggled in the sprint race and was forced to retire in the main event due to technical issues.

With such a strong debut, Ogura has already drawn comparisons to some of MotoGP’s greatest rookies. His results in Buriram make him the most successful rookie debutant since Marc Márquez in 2013. Even top riders like Fabio Quartararo and Pedro Acosta did not achieve such strong finishes in their first premier-class race. The spotlight is now firmly on the 24-year-old Japanese rider, who is experiencing an unprecedented level of media attention.

Ai Ogura’s journey to MotoGP

Ai Ogura of Japan and Trackhouse MotoGP Team prepares to start on the grid during the MotoGP race at Chang International Circuit on March 2, 2025, in Buriram, Thailand. Photo by Mirco Lazzari/Getty Images

Born in Kiyose City, Tokyo Prefecture, on January 26, 2001, Ai Ogura took part in his first motorcycle race at just four years old. However, his journey to professional racing began a decade later when he entered the Asia Talent Cup in 2015. After finishing seventh in his rookie season, he made a significant leap in 2016, finishing as the series’ runner-up while also competing in the Red Bull Rookies Cup, where he secured multiple top-five finishes.

In 2017, Ogura expanded his experience by competing in both the Red Bull Rookies Cup, where he finished fifth, and the CEV Moto3 Championship (now known as the Junior Moto3 World Championship), where he secured his first career victory. His progress continued in 2018 as he made his wildcard debut in the Moto3 World Championship while also competing in the CEV Moto3 series, finishing fifth overall. His performances, including scoring his first world championship point, earned him a full-time contract with Honda Team Asia for the 2019 Moto3 season.

Climbing through the ranks

Ogura’s debut Moto3 season in 2019 showed promise, as he finished tenth overall despite several race crashes. He secured his first podium at the Aragon Grand Prix, signaling his potential for greater success. In 2020, he took a step forward, challenging for the Moto3 title against Albert Arenas and Tony Arbolino. Although multiple mistakes cost him the championship, he still finished third overall, earning him a promotion to Moto2.

In 2021, Ogura had a strong rookie campaign in Moto2, finishing eighth overall and securing the best rookie honors with nine top-10 finishes. Just as in Moto3, he emerged as a title contender in his second season, winning his first two Moto2 races. However, he ultimately lost the championship to Augusto Fernández.

His 2023 season was plagued by an early-season injury, which hampered his performance for the first third of the year. Struggling to find consistency, he managed only three podium finishes and ended the season in ninth place.

Moto2 champion and MotoGP debut

After spending his entire world championship career with Honda Team Asia, Ogura made a crucial change in 2024, joining MT Helmets MSI in Moto2. The move proved to be a masterstroke as he dominated the season, claiming eight podiums, including three race victories, and ultimately securing the Moto2 World Championship.

His championship win earned him a MotoGP contract with Aprilia, joining the Trackhouse Racing team for the 2025 season. Now, after his impressive debut in Buriram, it is clear that Ogura is ready to take on the premier class and establish himself as one of the most exciting rookies on the grid.

With a strong start to his MotoGP career, all eyes will be on Ai Ogura as he continues to prove himself against the best riders in the world.