OGURA TARGETS A MOTEGI BREAKTHROUGH AFTER STRONG AUSTRIAN RETURN

Ai Ogura arrives at Motegi with a chance to make a strong impression at his home Grand Prix, but is still working his way back from a left-hand injury. The Trackhouse Aprilia rider fractured a bone near his thumb in a motocross training accident in Japan and underwent surgery, missing the Aragon and Misano rounds. He returned at the Red Bull Ring and immediately scored two fourth places. Before the injury, he had taken six podiums in eight races; he is now sixth in the championship, 84 points behind leader Jorge Martin.

Motegi carries extra significance after Ogura finished ninth in last year’s Sprint but withdrew from the Grand Prix. He had injured his right hand in a Misano crash, and his symptoms worsened in Japan, prompting the decision not to race on Sunday. He has enjoyed considerable success at Motegi in Moto2, winning in 2022 and finishing second in each of the next two years, but his MotoGP record is still to be made. “On the Moto2 bike I was quite strong in Motegi but not on the MotoGP bike — yet,” he said.

Ogura said being at home is welcome, though it does not change his approach: “On a bike — no matter where I am — I’m always giving my 100%.” He also does not expect the Asian leg to provide a major advantage simply because he is Japanese, noting that MotoGP riders have plenty of experience at the region’s circuits. Hot weather, however, could suit him. “There will be a lot of hot races, which is something I like — so the hot conditions can be an advantage for me.” The five-week stretch in October includes four race weekends, making for a demanding period.

Team principal Davide Brivio called Japan an important event for Trackhouse because it is Ogura’s home race. He said the team was pleased to have him back in Austria ahead of Motegi, giving him a chance to prepare, and promised to provide the support needed amid the attention surrounding the weekend.

Teammate Raul Fernandez is also looking to turn around a difficult run. He has not returned to the podium since winning at Silverstone and sits seventh in the standings, 19 points behind Ogura. Fernandez enjoys Motegi’s mix of flowing and stop-and-go sections, and described the grip as higher than at Misano. He singled out turns six, seven, eight and ten as favourites, while identifying turn 11 as the toughest: riders must brake late, manage the long straight that follows and get the exit right.

Brivio said Fernandez and the team have endured several challenging races, but added that the Asian tour has often been positive for them. Trackhouse will hope Motegi offers a chance to change that trend.