The surprising signing of Ai Ogura

Japanese rookie Ai Ogura delivered an outstanding MotoGP debut in Thailand, finishing fifth in the main race and exceeding expectations.

Ai Ogura of Japan and Trackhouse MotoGP Team looks on during free practice 1 for the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix at Buriram International Circuit on February 28, 2025, in Buriram, Thailand. Photo by Lillian Suwanrumpha/AFP

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

Ai Ogura stunned the MotoGP paddock with a remarkable debut at the Thailand Grand Prix. The Japanese rider, competing in his first MotoGP event with Trackhouse, qualified fifth at the Buriram circuit. He then surpassed expectations by finishing fourth in the sprint race, trailing only Marc Marquez, Alex Marquez, and Francesco Bagnaia. Ogura continued his strong form on Sunday, securing a fifth-place finish in the main race. His performance marked the best MotoGP debut since 2013, when Marc Marquez finished third in Qatar.

Ogura’s impressive entry into the premier class was as unexpected as his promotion to MotoGP itself. Few anticipated his move to Trackhouse, as much of the attention in Moto2 had been on riders such as Sergio Garcia and Tony Arbolino. However, Trackhouse saw something special in Ogura, and their decision to sign him months ago is already proving to be a masterstroke.

Following his standout performance in Thailand, Ogura has dominated headlines. But the real intrigue lies in understanding why Trackhouse’s leadership identified him as a future MotoGP talent long before his debut. The key figures behind his signing were Davide Brivio, the director of Aprilia’s satellite team, and Jordi Pons, Ogura’s agent.

“I hadn't followed him closely in his earlier stages, but last year in Moto2, I was impressed by how he managed to get out of tough situations,” Brivio told Autosport.

“As I watched him more, I noticed his riding style seemed well-suited for MotoGP. I was convinced after speaking with Matteo Baiocco [Aprilia test rider]. With those indicators, we went after him. The fact that he was Japanese made him an interesting prospect, but we couldn’t test him beforehand, so there was some risk involved.”

Although Brivio had the authority to make the decision, he consulted Aprilia before finalizing the deal. Trackhouse, which will cover the salaries of Ogura and Raul Fernandez in 2025, was determined to secure Ogura’s signature.

Breaking ties with Honda for a fresh start

Ogura’s jump to MotoGP came after a bold career move in Moto2. He left Honda, the manufacturer that had supported him throughout his development, to join the MT team. The transition was not without challenges, particularly due to sponsorship conditions. While MT is backed by a Spanish helmet manufacturer, Ogura insisted on continuing to wear his preferred Japanese brand, Arai.

His longtime manager, Jordi Pons, played a crucial role in both his Moto2 and MotoGP moves. Having worked with Ogura since his days in the Asia Talent Cup, Pons understood the gravity of his decisions.

“I don’t know if people realise what it means for a Japanese rider raised under Honda’s wing to walk into HRC and tell them he’s leaving,” Pons explained. “On top of that, Ai’s father and Hiroshi Aoyama, the director of Team Asia, are very close friends. It couldn’t have been easy for him to stand in front of Aoyama and tell him he was leaving.”

When Brivio reached out to Pons about bringing Ogura to Trackhouse, the decision had to be made quickly.

“Ai told me he needed five minutes. After that, he called me back and said he was in,” Pons revealed.

A unique MotoGP talent with immense potential

Ai Ogura of Japan and Trackhouse MotoGP Team rides during free practice 1 for the MotoGP Thailand Grand Prix at Buriram International Circuit on February 28, 2025, in Buriram, Thailand. Photo by Mohd Rasfan/AFP

Both Brivio and Pons describe Ogura as an “atypical Japanese rider,” a sentiment that speaks to his unconventional career choices and rapid adaptability. Brivio, in particular, sees immense potential in the young racer.

“We’ve found a diamond that now needs polishing. He’s very humble but also very sharp. He learns quickly and doesn’t stop. Once he masters one thing, he moves on to the next.”

Ogura’s learning curve was evident in Thailand.

“On Saturday, he told us he learned a lot by riding behind Pecco, and on Sunday, he said he applied it in the race, which allowed him to finish fifth,” Brivio added.

With a stellar debut in the books, the focus now shifts to how Ogura will develop over the coming races. His natural talent, combined with Trackhouse’s backing, could make him one of the standout rookies of the 2025 MotoGP season.