Can Ai Ogura continue his impressive form?

Trackhouse Racing’s Ai Ogura shines in his MotoGP debut, keeping pace with Ducati’s top riders.

Ai Ogura of Japan and Trackhouse MotoGP Team rides during practice for the MotoGP 2025 PT Grand Prix of Thailand at Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand, on February 28, 2025. Photo by Kaikungwon Duanjumroon/Nur

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Ai Ogura emerged as the biggest surprise of the season-opening Thailand Grand Prix, delivering a poised and confident performance in his MotoGP debut. The Trackhouse Racing rider showcased his potential by keeping pace with the factory Ducati team, finishing an impressive fifth in the standings after the first race weekend.

The Japanese rookie spent much of the race closely following reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia, demonstrating his ability to match the pace of one of the sport’s top riders. Ogura remained patient, ready to capitalize on any mistakes, proving he could handle the intensity of MotoGP competition right from the start.

As the season moves to the Argentina Grand Prix, Ogura has the opportunity to confirm that his Thailand performance was no fluke. The challenge now is to adapt to new circuits and maintain his strong form against more experienced competitors.

Marc Marquez and Eugene Laverty praise Ogura’s composure

Among those impressed by Ogura’s debut was six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez. The Spanish rider personally congratulated Ogura after the race, telling him he was "very good" and acknowledging his remarkable performance. High praise from a legend like Marquez only adds to the excitement surrounding the young rider’s potential.

Veteran racer and commentator Eugene Laverty also praised Ogura, emphasizing the remarkable composure he displayed in his first MotoGP race.

“Ai Ogura was awesome. I knew he was good, but I didn’t think he was that b—– good because there aren’t many guys that can come in and keep a cool head like that,” Laverty said.

He compared Ogura’s debut to Johann Zarco’s explosive entry into MotoGP, where the French rider led his first race in Qatar before crashing out. In contrast, Ogura remained composed, finishing the race like a seasoned campaigner.

“That’s not easy to do because if he had thrown it up the road, then somebody would’ve still said, ‘Wow, what a performance.’ So to bring it to the finish line like a seasoned campaigner was incredible,” Laverty added.

While Ogura’s pace and racecraft have been impressive, he still faces challenges, particularly with the language barrier in the MotoGP paddock. Communication remains an area he needs to improve, but this is expected to become easier as he gains more experience in the premier class.

Another key challenge for Ogura will be adapting to circuits he has not yet ridden on a MotoGP bike. In Thailand, he had the advantage of prior testing at Buriram, which may have helped him settle in quickly. However, he will not have that luxury in Argentina, where he will be riding at the Autodromo Termas de Rio Hondo for the first time in the premier class.

Despite this, his natural ability and calm approach suggest he has the potential to quickly adapt to new tracks and continue delivering strong performances.

Trackhouse Racing’s growing strength in MotoGP

Ogura’s debut comes at a time when Trackhouse Racing is beginning to establish itself as a competitive force in MotoGP. The team is in just its second season in the championship, but early signs suggest they are making significant progress.

In 2024, their best results came in the form of two sixth-place finishes, achieved separately by Raul Fernandez and Miguel Oliveira. However, with an improved Aprilia bike for the 2025 season, the team appears to have taken a step forward.

The 2025 Aprilia package is being regarded as one of the strongest on the grid, potentially making it the second-fastest bike behind Ducati. This development is particularly important for reigning champion Jorge Martin, who leads Aprilia’s factory effort but has yet to race this season due to injuries sustained in pre-season testing.

With Martin sidelined, the responsibility falls on riders like Ogura to capitalize on the bike’s performance and secure strong results for Aprilia. If Trackhouse Racing can maintain their early momentum, a podium finish might not be out of reach.

Ai Ogura’s Thailand Grand Prix performance was a statement of intent, showing that he belongs in the premier class. His ability to stay close to Bagnaia and handle the pressure of a MotoGP debut with such composure speaks volumes about his talent and potential.

The next challenge is to prove his consistency. If he can adapt quickly to the demands of the Argentina Grand Prix and continue delivering top performances, he could establish himself as one of the standout rookies of the season.

The 2025 MotoGP campaign is only just beginning, but Ai Ogura has already given fans plenty to talk about. The coming races will reveal just how high his ceiling is and whether he can become a regular contender at the front of the grid.