Ai Ogura’s race hopes fade after poor start in Argentina

Trackhouse Aprilia’s Ai Ogura fell to the back of the pack at Termas de Río Hondo, finishing 15th after a difficult start in the sprint race.

Ai Ogura of Japan and Trackhouse MotoGP Aprilia rides during qualifying for the MotoGP of Argentina at Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo on March 15, 2025, in Rio Hondo, Argentina. Photo by Gold & Goose/LAT Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Ai Ogura faced a difficult challenge at the Argentina MotoGP sprint, as the Trackhouse Aprilia rider struggled from the start and finished a disappointing 15th. After an impressive debut in Thailand, where he fought near the front, the Japanese rookie found the Termas de Río Hondo circuit far less forgiving.

Ogura, the 2023 Moto2 World Champion, made headlines in the opening round of the 2025 MotoGP season with a stunning performance. He exceeded expectations in Buriram, securing a fourth and fifth-place finish in his first two premier-class races. His success was largely due to a strong qualifying performance, where he started from the second row and competed with the frontrunners.

However, the conditions in Argentina proved much more challenging. The colder temperatures and the technical nature of Termas de Río Hondo posed a tough test for the rookie. From the start of practice, Ogura struggled to find the right rhythm. He failed to match the pace of his rivals and ended qualifying in 15th place, 0.8 seconds behind Marc Márquez.

"This circuit is more demanding on individual skills, especially in the first part of the lap. I'm not at the same level as I was in Thailand," Ogura admitted after qualifying.

Costly mistake ruins Ogura’s sprint race

Ogura’s hopes of a recovery in the sprint race were dashed almost immediately. A poor start saw him drop to the back of the grid, leaving him with an uphill battle for the rest of the race.

"I didn’t operate the clutch properly, and it was a big mistake," Ogura said. "Starting in MotoGP is completely different from other categories, and I still have a lot to learn. Luckily, this happened in the sprint and not the main race."

Having started from 15th, Ogura found himself down in 20th by the end of the first lap, struggling behind his fellow rookies, Fermin Aldeguer and Somkiat Chantra. With only 12 laps to recover, his chances of scoring points quickly faded.

Despite the tough start, the Japanese rider did not give up. He managed to overtake Chantra and Trackhouse Aprilia teammate Raúl Fernández in the closing laps, eventually crossing the line in 15th.

"I definitely enjoyed the race in Thailand more," Ogura said after the sprint. "Fighting at the front is a completely different experience compared to battling from the back. I tried to learn from the riders around me, but today was a tough challenge. I struggled in the first sector, and that cost me a lot of time."

Ogura remains in top five despite setback

Although his performance in Argentina was far from ideal, Ogura remains in a solid position in the overall standings. With three races completed, he holds fifth place in the 2025 MotoGP championship, a remarkable achievement for a rookie.

However, competition is tightening. Johann Zarco and Franco Morbidelli are closing in on his points tally, putting Ogura under pressure to maintain his consistency. If he cannot regain his form, his position in the standings could come under threat in the coming rounds.

Now, Ogura turns his attention to the Argentina Grand Prix, scheduled for 3 p.m. local time. After struggling in the sprint, he hopes to rediscover his pace and fight further up the grid in the main race, just as he did in Thailand.