**EXCLUSIVE: Ai Ogura Poised to Become Japan’s Next MotoGP Icon – A Deep Dive into His Journey and Aspirations**

EXCLUSIVE: Could Ai Ogura be the next big name in MotoGP for Japan?

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

Imagine the setting: it's Thursday, August 1st. The MotoGP paddock has returned from their summer hiatus, and everyone gathers under the bright sun at Silverstone for the British Grand Prix.

Much of the focus is directed towards the MotoGP racers, and with good reason.

Nevertheless, numerous Moto3 and Moto2 racers wander the paddock unnoticed, dreaming of the day they will rise to the elite level of the premier class, while they diligently focus on their current tasks.

One specific Moto2 racer appears to be on the verge of transitioning to MotoGP in the near future.

I am standing behind the trucks of the MT Helmets MSI team, when the rear door unexpectedly swings open and the rider steps out.

The motorcyclist, Ai Ogura from Japan, acknowledges me with a nod. We exchange a handshake, and he says, "let's go."

Daijiro Kato: A Hero to Me

Japan boasts a storied tradition in Grand Prix racing.

The last time they had a World Champion was in 2009, when Hiroshi Aoyama, who is now the team manager for Honda Team Asia, won in the 250cc category.

Ogura is striving to join the ranks of Japanese World Champions and honors the memory of late Japanese racers Shoya Tomizawa and Daijiro Kato by wearing their numbers on his racing gear.

Ogura expressed his deep respect for the 2001 250cc World Champion, stating, "He is undoubtedly my hero."

"In my opinion, he is the greatest Japanese rider of all time. However, by the time I was a child, he had already retired."

During my time following MotoGP, the riders I looked up to were Rossi, Stoner, Lorenzo, and Pedrosa.

“But when it comes to Daijiro, I’ve spent a lot of time analyzing his videos… He’s definitely my top choice!”

In 2010, Shoya Tomizawa made history by winning the inaugural Moto2 race in Qatar. Unfortunately, he later passed away in an accident at Misano during the same season.

Many consider Daijiro Kato the greatest Japanese motorcyclist in history. Between 1996 and 2003, he secured 17 Grand Prix victories and clinched the 250cc World Championship with Fausto Gresini's team in 2001. In 2002, he advanced to the MotoGP category, where he achieved two podium finishes during his debut season.

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

"Two Choices for MotoGP 2025"

At just 23 years of age, Ogura is already well-acquainted with the Grand Prix paddock. His journey began in the Asia Talent Cup in 2015, after which he advanced through the Red Bull Rookies Cup. He continued to distinguish himself in the CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

As a graduate of the Honda Team Asia program, his Moto3 career demonstrated his quick learning abilities. In his debut season in Moto3 in 2019, he finished tenth overall, with a notable second-place finish at the Aragon race.

The 2020 season, affected by Covid-19, marked Ogura's last year competing with Moto3 equipment, and it turned out to be his most successful season.

Having secured seven podium placements throughout the season, he entered the last race with an opportunity to clinch the World Championship title. In the end, he placed third overall, just four points short of the champion, Albert Arenas.

Since 2021, he has emerged as a prominent racer in the Moto2 category, drawing the attention of MotoGP teams who are keen to sign him for the 2025 season.

The Japanese rider was silent about his future, but when questioned regarding his plans for the next season, he responded:

"All I can say right now is to wait for the official announcement! I don't have any additional information to share at this moment."

When asked about his plans for the next season, he disclosed that if he decides to advance to MotoGP, he has several choices available.

Ogura smiled and said, “There are two possibilities if I move up to MotoGP.”

It has consistently seemed that the Japanese racer would step in for Taka Nakagami at Idemitsu LCR Honda, due to his connections with Honda and Idemitsu’s interest in having an Asian competitor in MotoGP.

Nakagami recently mentioned that he believes Ogura is prepared to advance: "It's a fantastic chance for him, and he has the capability."

Upon hearing Nakagami's encouraging remarks, Ogura smiled and responded, "I'm truly delighted that he spoke such kind words about me!"

Although it hasn't been confirmed yet, it seems that Ogura is likely to join MotoGP’s new team, Trackhouse Racing, in 2025, riding Aprilia bikes. Reports indicate that Ogura's spot at LCR Honda may be filled by his former Honda Team Asia colleague, Somkiat Chantra.

In response to a question about the significance of advancing to MotoGP, the 23-year-old highlighted that he would be the inaugural rider from the Asia Talent Cup to reach the premier level of Grand Prix racing.

"I started with the Honda project and moved up through the Asia Talent Cup," he explained. "No one from that series has reached the MotoGP class yet. If I could be the first, it would be very significant for me."

"Crafting visuals for the younger motorcyclists from Asia nowadays can be quite unique."

The motorcyclist hailing from Kiyose, Tokyo, has encountered numerous challenges in his Moto2 journey. In 2022, he came close to winning the championship but ultimately fell short to Augusto Fernandez. A significant crash on the last lap of the second-to-last race in Malaysia, just as he was taking the lead, created an insurmountable gap. This setback was compounded when he crashed in the final race in Valencia, resulting in a second-place finish in the overall standings.

The year 2023 began disastrously for the Japanese motorcyclist, as a wrist injury during training forced him to sit out the first race of the season.

Like many riders, Ogura returned to racing before being completely fit, attempting to push through the challenges. However, his early season difficulties ultimately dashed any hopes of competing for the World Championship.

Despite anticipating a strong return in 2024, he feels that this season has been his best performance so far.

"This has undoubtedly been my top season," he remarked. "In 2022, my second year in Moto2, I adjusted well to the division, but there were still numerous aspects I was unfamiliar with at that time."

"Occasionally, as a racer, ignorance can make it easier to push harder since you're unaware of the boundaries. That was my experience in 2022. Competing for the championship back then is different from doing so now in 2024 – this year's competition holds greater significance for me."

Following a challenging 2023 season, I've returned with a new team, new tires, and a new chassis. This year has brought significant changes for me, and I'm both enjoying it and feeling happy.

The switch to Pirelli tires has significantly transformed the Moto2 category, requiring riders to conserve their tires much more than they did with the former Dunlop tires.

Ogura mentioned that there will be changes in teams and chassis for 2024. He will switch from Honda Team Asia with a Kalex chassis to the MT Helmets MSI team using a Boscoscuro chassis.

"I believe I've been pretty fortunate," he mentioned, "as I haven't had to worry much about the differences between the Boscoscuro and the Kalex chassis."

Simultaneously, the tire and chassis setup is distinct; however, my initial experience with the Boscoscuro during testing was remarkably seamless. I immediately connected well with it.

When questioned about adjusting his riding technique for the new chassis and tyre setup, he elaborated: "No, I haven't needed to alter my riding style. The main shift this season has been adapting to the Pirelli tyres, which we've all had to do."

"Naturally, the primary distinction when comparing it to Dunlop tyres is tyre management. In terms of riding style modifications, Pirelli offers better front grip, allowing me to apply more pressure. This improvement was crucial for me because I struggled to achieve optimal balance with the Dunlop front tyre and its rear counterpart."

"I used to depend heavily on the front for traction and would say I was using the rear for about 90% of the ride. This approach was never my goal or preferred riding style. However, switching to Pirelli tires has enabled me to ride more in the way I want to, and for me, it has been a positive improvement."

Japan's 15-Year Anticipation Nearing an End?

Ogura, who is currently ranked second in the Moto2 World Championship standings, has secured two victories this year and is trailing his teammate Sergio Garcia by 18 points.

The Japanese cyclist acknowledges that joining a European squad this season was primarily driven by the desire to compete. However, he mentions that his relationship with his new teammate remains “normal” even amid the championship battle.

He mentioned: "Currently, I have a typical relationship with my teammate! One of the reasons I opted for a European team was due to this. If you remain with Honda Team Asia, Somkiat was very quick, but it's challenging to consistently have a fast teammate."

"You feel relatively secure being there; as long as no one is pressuring you, you can just unwind and be content with finishing in fifth place, for instance. However, being part of a team like MT Helmets MSI requires you to consistently maintain a high speed. This is beneficial for me and the reason I chose to join a European team. It's also great to have a quick teammate like Sergio."

Japan could soon end its 15-year drought for a Grand Prix World Champion, as Ai Ogura's promising career seems to be just taking off with MotoGP in sight. Known for his aggressive riding and exceptional braking skills, Ogura has caught the attention of various MotoGP team leaders beyond just Honda.

Should he receive official confirmation to join Trackhouse Racing, the Valencia test promises to be an exhilarating event. The highlights will feature Jorge Martin's first outing on the Factory Aprilia and Marc Marquez's initial run with the Factory Ducati.

Ogura's abilities will be highly evident on the Aprilia, as he stands out as one of the top talents from Eastern Asia in recent times. He respects the legacy of Japanese riders who preceded him, which is remarkable for someone who is just 23 years old.

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