Marc Marquez praises Ai Ogura’s strong performance in Thailand GP

Trackhouse Racing’s Ai Ogura delivers an outstanding performance in his MotoGP debut, finishing fourth in the Sprint and fifth in the Grand Prix.

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

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Ai Ogura made a remarkable first impression in his MotoGP debut for Trackhouse Racing, delivering an outstanding performance at the Thailand Grand Prix. The Japanese rider carried his strong pre-season form into the opening round, securing a fourth-place finish in the Sprint race and a fifth-place result in the Grand Prix.

Ogura had already turned heads during pre-season testing, showing impressive speed on the RS-GP25. His pace was so strong during the MotoGP Shakedown in Sepang that Alex Rins expressed disbelief at how quickly the rookie adapted. High-ranking Aprilia officials were also reportedly "so impressed" with Ogura’s performance, finding reassurance in his speed, especially after teammate Raul Fernandez and defending champion Jorge Martin suffered injuries in testing.

Ogura delivers in Buriram

Building on his promising pre-season, Ogura showcased his potential at the Thailand GP. The 24-year-old delivered a sensational performance in Saturday’s Sprint race, finishing fourth and closing in on a podium position. He ended the race just 0.5 seconds behind two-time champion Francesco Bagnaia, proving his ability to challenge the sport’s top riders.

His performance left many in the paddock in awe. Former MotoGP rider Sylvain Guintoli called Ogura’s Sprint race effort "unbelievable," highlighting the composure and racecraft the young rider displayed.

On Sunday, Ogura continued to impress, staying competitive against the frontrunners in the Grand Prix. He ultimately finished fifth, once again demonstrating his ability to battle against seasoned MotoGP stars. Former British Superbike champion Neil Hodgson admitted he was "in love with Ogura" during the race, particularly when he sensed VR46’s Franco Morbidelli attempting to overtake him. Morbidelli eventually moved past Ogura for fourth, but the Japanese rider’s performance had already left a lasting impact.

Praise from the MotoGP elite

Ogura’s display earned admiration from many in the paddock, including Trackhouse Racing boss Davide Brivio and race winner Marc Marquez. The six-time MotoGP champion was dominant in Buriram but still took a moment to recognize Ogura’s efforts.

In a behind-the-scenes video from Ducati, Marquez was seen congratulating the rookie in the media pen, saying: “Congratulations. Not bad to start, eh? Very good, believe me!”

Challenges ahead for Ogura in MotoGP

Despite his impressive debut, Ogura acknowledges that he still has a long way to go in his MotoGP journey. With 21 rounds remaining in the season, the Japanese rider knows there is much to learn, particularly in areas like braking, where he struggled during pre-season testing.

One of his biggest takeaways from the Thailand GP was his battle with Bagnaia, which he said helped him understand the importance of smooth riding in MotoGP. However, Ogura also faces an off-track challenge—communication. The 24-year-old has admitted that he "can’t manage" the language barrier at Trackhouse Racing, which could limit his ability to provide detailed feedback to his engineers.

While this issue can be resolved over time, it may pose a short-term challenge as he continues to develop in the premier class.

Aprilia’s confidence in Ogura grows

Despite these hurdles, Aprilia will take great encouragement from Ogura’s debut performance. The manufacturer had concerns heading into the season after a tough pre-season, particularly with Martin’s absence for the Argentina Grand Prix. However, Ogura’s strong showing in Thailand suggests that he can deliver solid results and help keep Trackhouse Racing competitive in the early rounds of the season.

As MotoGP heads to Argentina, all eyes will be on whether Ogura can build on his impressive start and continue proving himself as one of the most exciting rookies in the 2025 season.