Ai Ogura: Japan’s Rising Star Poised to End Championship Drought and Elevate to MotoGP Glory

EXCLUSIVE: Could this be Japan's New MotoGP Phenomenon?

Ai Ogura discusses Japan's distinctive racing heritage with Crash.net's Jordan Moreland

Imagine the setting, it's Thursday, August 1. The MotoGP teams and their entourages converge on a brightly sunlit Silverstone, marking the end of their summer hiatus for the British Grand Prix.

Much of the focus is centered on MotoGP riders, and justifiably.

Nonetheless, numerous Moto3 and Moto2 competitors roam the paddock largely unnoticed, with the future champions going about their business quietly, harboring hopes that someday they'll ascend to the prestigious top tier of the sport.

A particular rider from Moto2 appears poised for an imminent move up to MotoGP in the near future.

I'm standing behind the transport vehicles of the MT Helmets MSI squad when, out of nowhere, the rear door swings open and the cyclist emerges.

The cyclist is Ai Ogura from Japan. He acknowledges me with a nod, we exchange handshakes, and he suggests, "let's move forward."

Daijiro Kato: 'My Inspiration'

The nation of Japan boasts a storied legacy in the realm of Grand Prix motorsports.

The latest individual to secure a World Championship title for Honda Team Asia, where Ogura competes, was Hiroshi Aoyama, who clinched the 250cc category championship in 2009.

Ogura aspires to join the ranks of Japanese World Champions and honors the memory of the departed Japanese racers, Shoya Tomizawa and Daijiro Kato, by featuring their numbers on his racing suit as a tribute.

Ogura specifically mentioned his high regard for the 2001 250cc World Champion, saying, "He's definitely my idol."

"In my opinion, he stands as the greatest Japanese rider throughout history. However, by the time I was coming of age, he had already left the scene."

While I was tuned into MotoGP, Rossi, Stoner, Lorenzo, and Pedrosa were competing, making them key figures for me.

"Regarding Daijiro, I immersed myself in observing his techniques through countless videos… Absolutely, he stands out as the top choice for me!"

In 2010, Shoya Tomizawa achieved victory in the inaugural Moto2 race held in Qatar, only to sadly pass away due to a mishap at the Misano circuit within the same year.

Many consider Daijiro Kato the greatest Japanese motorcycle racer ever, having secured victory in 17 Grand Prix events between 1996 and 2003. He clinched the 250cc World Championship in 2001 riding for Fausto Gresini's squad. Transitioning to the MotoGP category in 2002, Kato achieved two podium finishes in his debut season.

In 2003, he continued his association with Gresini, piloting a Honda RC211V. Kato tragically passed away following an accident in the first race of the 2003 season at Suzuka.

Choices for MotoGP 2025

At the young age of 23, Ogura is already familiar with the Grand Prix scene. His journey began in the Asia Talent Cup in 2015, followed by advancements through the Red Bull Rookies Cup, and subsequently making an impact in the CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship during 2017 and 2018.

Emerging from the Honda Team Asia initiative, his performance in Moto3 demonstrated his rapid learning ability, securing a top ten finish in his debut season in 2019, highlighted by a remarkable second-place at the Aragon race.

The 2020 season, impacted by Covid, marked Ogura's last year competing in Moto3, and it turned out to be his most successful.

Having secured seven top-three finishes, he entered the season's last race as a contender for the World Championship title. In the end, he secured the third position in the overall rankings, trailing the winner, Albert Arenas, by four points.

Since 2021, he has emerged as a prominent figure in the Moto2 category, prompting MotoGP squads to seek him out for the 2025 season.

The Japanese motorcyclist kept quiet about his future endeavors. However, when questioned about his intentions for the upcoming season, he responded:

"At this moment, all I can ask is for your patience until the official statement is made. There's nothing more I can share at this time."

When questioned about his plans for the upcoming season, he disclosed that if he were to advance to MotoGP, he possesses multiple choices.

"Ogura chuckled as he said, 'If I make the move to MotoGP, I'm looking at two possibilities.'"

The anticipation has been that the rider from Japan would take over Taka Nakagami's spot at Idemitsu LCR Honda, given his connections with Honda and the main sponsor Idemitsu's preference for an Asian rider in MotoGP.

Nakagami recently expressed his belief that Ogura is prepared to advance: "It's truly an excellent chance for him, and he possesses the capability."

Upon hearing Nakagami's supportive remarks, Ogura responded with a smile, expressing, "It truly means a lot to me that he spoke so kindly of me!"

As of now, there hasn't been a formal announcement, but it seems likely that Ogura will be moving to MotoGP's latest addition, Trackhouse Racing, in 2025, where he'll be racing on an Aprilia. Meanwhile, indications suggest that the spot at LCR Honda could be filled by Ogura's ex-teammate from Honda Team Asia, Somkiat Chantra, based on recent speculations.

In response to inquiries regarding the significance of his potential advancement to MotoGP, the 23-year-old highlighted that he would become the inaugural rider from the Asia Talent Cup to ascend to the premier tier of Grand Prix motorcycle racing.

"I transitioned from working on the Honda project to competing in the Asia Talent Cup," he shared. "So far, no one from that competition has advanced to the MotoGP level. Being the first to do so would hold significant meaning for me.

"Designing visuals for the newer, younger audience from Asia today has the potential to be quite remarkable."

The competitor hailing from Kiyose, Tokyo, has encountered numerous obstacles during his journey in the Moto2 series. The year 2022 saw him coming close to clinching the championship, only to fall short to Augusto Fernandez due to an expensive mistake during the last lap of the second-to-last race in Malaysia while in the lead. This error created a deficit too significant to overcome in Valencia, where he met with another accident in the final race, ultimately securing a second-place finish in the overall standings.

The year began disastrously for the Japanese racer, as he incurred a wrist injury during pre-season practice, leading to his absence from the year's first race.

Like many racers, Ogura returned to the track before fully recovering, attempting to push through his limitations. However, his early-season struggles dashed his hopes of contending for the World Championship.

Nevertheless, he is optimistic that 2024 will mark his most successful season yet.

He remarked, "This season has definitely stood out as my peak,". "In 2022, during my sophomore year in Moto2, I found my footing in the class quite well, yet there was still a lot I was unfamiliar with at that time.

Occasionally, as a motorcyclist, being unaware of certain aspects can actually make it simpler to push the pace since you're oblivious to the boundaries. That was my reality in 2022, hence competing for the championship back then versus the present moment in 2024 holds greater significance for me this year.

Following a challenging 2023 season, I've successfully bounced back, joining a new team and embracing fresh tyres and chassis. This year has brought significant developments my way, which I'm truly relishing and feeling joyful about.

The switch to Pirelli tires for all competitors in Moto2 has significantly altered the dynamics of the intermediate class, with riders now needing to focus more on conserving their tires than they did when using the former Dunlop tires.

Ogura will switch teams and frames in 2024, transitioning from Honda Team Asia and their Kalex frame to join the MT Helmets MSI squad, utilizing a Boscoscuro frame.

He expressed his fortune, stating, "I consider myself quite fortunate because I haven't had to ponder over the distinctions between the Boscoscuro and the Kalex chassis."

"Simultaneously, the integration of the tyre and chassis presents a distinct variation, yet my initial experience during the Boscoscuro tests was exceptionally seamless. I immediately developed a positive connection with it."

In response to inquiries about adjusting his riding technique due to the chassis and tire setup, he elaborated, saying, "No, I haven't needed to alter how I ride. The major shift this season has been getting used to the Pirelli tires, which is something we've all had to do."

"Undoubtedly, handling the tires stands out as the main distinction when contrasting them with the Dunlop tires. When it comes to adapting how one rides, Pirelli offers superior front grip, allowing for greater pressure to be applied. This is a crucial advantage for me, as I struggled to achieve optimal balance between the front and rear tires when using Dunlop's front tire."

"I consistently utilized most of the grip at the front, and you could say I managed about 90% using the back, which was never actually my goal nor my preferred riding style. Nonetheless, switching to Pirelli tires has enabled me to ride more in the way I desire, and for me, it's been a positive shift."

Japan's lengthy 15-year hiatus could soon be over.

Ogura, who is now in second place in the Moto2 World Championship, has secured two victories in 2024, trailing his teammate Sergio Garcia by 18 points.

The rider from Japan acknowledges that the primary reason for joining a European team this year was to engage in more competitive racing. However, he mentions that his rapport with his new team member is "average" at the moment, even amidst the championship battle.

He mentioned, "Currently, my rapport with my teammate is quite regular! Opting for a European team was influenced by that factor. Being part of Honda Team Asia meant dealing with Somkiat's speed, which, although impressive, made it challenging to consistently have a speedy teammate."

"Being there gives you a sense of security, especially when there's no pressure on you, allowing you to unwind and even be content with a fifth-place finish, for instance. However, when you're part of a team like MT Helmets MSI, there's an expectation to always perform quickly. This challenge is exactly why I chose to join a European team, and having a swift teammate like Sergio is definitely a bonus."

After a 15-year hiatus, Japan could soon celebrate having a Grand Prix World Champion again, and it seems this is just the start for Ai Ogura as he sets his sights on MotoGP. His assertive approach and exceptional braking skills have undoubtedly caught the attention of several MotoGP team leaders beyond his current team, Honda.

Should he be formally approved to join Trackhouse Racing, the Valencia trial is set to be thrilling. This event will be highlighted by Jorge Martin's first ride with Factory Aprilia and Marc Marquez's premiere with Factory Ducati.

Ogura's abilities are expected to shine on the Aprilia, given he's one of the most impressive prospects from Eastern Asia in recent times. At just 23, he holds a deep respect for the legacy of Japanese riders before him, demonstrating an admirable perspective for someone so young.

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