Ai Ogura’s Aprilia MotoGP comeback has faced a tough test at the recent Hungarian Grand Prix, where he finished 11th, collecting just five points. The weekend was marked by difficulties from the start, with Ogura struggling through Friday and Saturday sessions before a disappointing Sprint race. Despite a challenging weekend at Balaton Park, he managed to salvage some points during the main race on Sunday.
Starting 21st on the grid after a poor Q1 qualifying session left Ogura at a severe disadvantage, forcing him to navigate a chaotic race to gain positions. He acknowledged the role luck played in his final standing:
“My final position owes a lot to circumstances. The crashes helped me gain places, while some riders faced penalties or technical issues before the race. My gains weren’t just my doing. I raced well, but without a strong starting position, we have no chance.”
—Ai Ogura, MotoGP rider
Struggles Compared to Aprilia Teammates Highlighted
At 24 years old and fresh from winning the Moto2 championship in 2023, Ogura’s transition to MotoGP has been slow and demanding. Currently placed 16th in the championship, he trails his Aprilia teammate Raul Fernandez by 15 points. Even Jorge Martin, recovering from injury, threatens Ogura’s position despite sitting at 20th in the standings with 23 points. Ogura remains the slowest among the Aprilia riders, showing a stark contrast to Martin’s recent podium finish after climbing from 16th place.
The disparity within the Aprilia team is clear, as Marco Bezzecchi consistently performs at the front of the championship, securing the brand’s upward momentum. Meanwhile, Fernandez keeps delivering steady results, leaving Ogura in a difficult spot as he strives to find his footing among more accomplished teammates.
Barcelona as a Crucial Opportunity for Performance Improvement
Looking ahead to the forthcoming race at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Ogura sees a valuable chance to turn his fortunes around. Familiarity with the Catalonia track gives him confidence that it may suit Aprilia’s bike well and offer an ideal setting for testing new adjustments. He said,
“Barcelona should suit us well. Plus, we can test some bike settings and directly compare results, which is easier than at other tracks.”
—Ai Ogura, MotoGP rider
Ogura stresses the importance of fine margins in his pursuit to close the gap:
“I’ve lost time recently due to minor details; there are no significant differences between us in any area. We’re counting on the accuracy of those details to ensure the overall picture is optimal.”
—Ai Ogura, MotoGP rider
The Growing Pressure and What Barcelona Could Mean for Ogura
With twelve race weekends completed, Ai Ogura’s MotoGP season has not progressed as quickly as expected. As pressure mounts, the upcoming race in Catalonia could become a pivotal moment where he demonstrates his ability to compete with his teammates and contribute to Aprilia’s ambitions. The circuit’s conditions and the team’s opportunity to refine the bike make this event crucial for Ogura’s comeback trajectory.
As the season advances, all eyes will be on Ogura to see if he can capitalize on this chance. His performance in Barcelona will likely influence his confidence and standing within the Aprilia team. Whether the race sparks an upward trend or deepens existing struggles remains to be seen, but the significance of this moment is undeniable in determining his future prospects.
