OGURA RECOVERS TO FIFTH IN MOTEGI SPRINT BUT SAYS HIS PACE FELL SHORT

Ai Ogura salvaged a difficult home weekend start with a strong recovery in the Motegi MotoGP sprint, finishing fifth, but said his pace was not good enough to challenge further.

The Trackhouse Aprilia rider’s troubles began in Friday practice, when his bike suffered an engine failure and had to be stopped at the side of the track. He then struggled to find a rhythm, particularly with the front wheel locking under heavy braking, and ended the session in 15th. Ogura responded by setting the fastest time in Q1, but could manage only 11th in the second qualifying session.

His sprint began much better. A strong launch and good opening corners helped him gain ground, while the crash involving Alex Marquez, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Pedro Acosta opened up further places. By the second lap, Ogura had climbed six positions.

“I had a good start, and the first two corners were very good. Then I benefited from the crash in front of me, which let me gain more positions, so I had a good first lap,” he said. “After that I rode at my own rhythm, but my speed wasn’t good enough. That was it.”

Diogo Moreira passed Ogura on lap four. The Japanese rider then overtook Aprilia teammate Marco Bezzecchi a lap later and settled into fifth. A small mistake on the penultimate lap did not cost him the position, as he had enough of a gap to hold on to the finish.

Ogura described the race as difficult and said tyre wear was a challenge for the field. “I think it was the same for everyone. The tyre didn’t look very good after the race, but everyone had their difficulties,” he said.

Looking ahead to Sunday’s 24-lap Grand Prix, Ogura expected most riders to choose medium tyres at both ends. He will again start 11th and acknowledged that the opening phase could be tough: “Yes, it will be a difficult start again.”