Ai Ogura, a newbie in MotoGP, showed everyone what he’s made of during his first premier-class race in Thailand, quickly joined the top racers and wasn’t left behind.
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Japanese rookie Ai Ogura delivered a sensational performance in his first full-length MotoGP race at the Thailand Grand Prix, finishing an impressive fifth after securing fourth place in the sprint race. The 22-year-old showcased remarkable maturity, speed, and adaptability, earning widespread praise from the paddock and solidifying his status as one of the most exciting newcomers in the premier class.
Ogura’s weekend began with a strong showing in the sprint race, where he finished fourth, demonstrating his ability to compete with seasoned riders. In the main race, held under scorching conditions at the Buriram International Circuit, Ogura once again proved his mettle. He made a bold move around the outside of Turn 1, overtaking experienced riders Jack Miller and Franco Morbidelli to claim fourth place early in the race.
Shadowing two-time MotoGP champion Francesco Bagnaia for much of the race, Ogura displayed composure and strategic acumen, finishing less than a second behind the Italian. His ability to handle the extreme heat and maintain a consistent pace highlighted his physical and mental resilience.
Ogura’s double top-five finish marks the best debut performance by a rookie since Marc Márquez in 2013 and is the first top-five result for a Japanese rider since Takaaki Nakagami’s P5 at the 2021 Styrian Grand Prix.
Team principal Davide Brivio, known for nurturing talents like Maverick Viñales and Joan Mir, expressed immense pride in Ogura’s performance. “Ai has shown incredible maturity and speed for a rookie. He’s adapting to MotoGP like a seasoned rider, and we’re excited to see what he can achieve this season,” Brivio said.
The paddock was abuzz with admiration for Ogura’s debut. Bagnaia described Ogura’s ability to stay close throughout the race as “incredible,” while Morbidelli hailed him as the standout performer of the weekend.
Ogura’s success also underscored Aprilia Racing’s progress, with the RS-GP25 proving competitive on one of the most demanding tracks on the calendar. The team’s strong performance in extreme conditions bodes well for the rest of the season.
As the MotoGP circus moves to Argentina for the next round, all eyes will be on Ai Ogura to see if he can continue his remarkable start. With his talent, determination, and calm demeanor, Ogura has firmly established himself as a rising star in the MotoGP world. The future looks bright for the young Japanese rider, and his journey is just beginning.
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