HODGSON PRAISES OGURA’S RACECRAFT, COMPARING HIM TO ROSSI

Ai Ogura’s ride to sixth at his home Japanese Grand Prix impressed former world champion Neil Hodgson, who compared the Trackhouse Aprilia rider’s defensive instincts to those of Valentino Rossi.

Ogura’s 2026 title hopes have faded after injury setbacks, but he remained in the thick of the action at Motegi. In the closing stages, he traded places with teammate Raul Fernandez and KTM’s Pedro Acosta before the Trackhouse pair eventually finished ahead of Acosta.

Hodgson, speaking on TNT Sports 2, praised Ogura for riding with the composure of a veteran and carefully guarding the inside line. He noted that Acosta is exceptionally strong on the brakes, making it especially important not to leave him an opening.

“I am loving Ai Ogura. He is riding this track like a veteran, like he knows exactly what he’s doing,” Hodgson said. He added that Ogura was effectively telling Acosta, “No, there’s absolutely no way I’m leaving the door open.”

Hodgson rejected the idea that the tactic was unfair. “Is it a bit dirty? No, it’s racing. It’s clever,” he said, before naming Rossi as the best rider he had seen at anticipating an opponent’s position and placing his bike to shut down a pass.

“Rossi rode like he’s got eyes in the back of his head,” Hodgson said. “He always knew where his opponent behind him was, and he placed his bike to make passes nigh-on impossible on him.”

Ogura will move to Yamaha in 2027 and will be looking to revive his championship ambitions. His prospects will depend in part on whether the Iwata-based manufacturer can improve from its current position near the back of the field.