Ai Ogura, riding for Trackhouse Aprilia, took full accountability for a crash that ended both his race and that of Joan Mir during the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring circuit on Sunday. The incident unfolded while the two riders contested ninth place, as Ogura attempted an overtaking maneuver but lost control of his bike, causing both riders to slide off the track.
Details of the Crash and Ogura’s Post-Race Statement
The contact occurred during a tight battle in the midfield when Ogura sought to pass the Honda rider Joan Mir. He admitted losing grip on the front end of his motorcycle, which led to the crash. In a candid interview after the race, Ogura said,
“The crash was absolutely my fault,
continuing,
I saw riders in front running a bit wide and there are not many overtaking spots at this circuit, so I tried. I lost the front and unfortunately, I took another rider out. I’m very sorry to Joan! That wasn’t a nice feeling.”
Ogura’s Race Progress and Team Comments
Before the collision, Ogura had staged an impressive recovery, moving up from 17th on the grid and maintaining a strong pace among the midfield competitors. Despite the setback, Trackhouse team director Davide Brivio acknowledged the progress made while emphasizing the risks inherent in motorcycle racing. Brivio reflected,
“It’s a pity, because Ai made good progress through the race and he was picking up a good pace,
adding,
Then he saw a good opportunity and tried, but he crashed while overtaking, which can happen. It’s part of racing.”
Race Conditions and Impact on Competitors at Sachsenring
The German Grand Prix proved challenging, with many riders failing to complete the full 30 laps around the 2.281-mile circuit. Only ten riders managed to finish, highlighting the demanding nature of the race. Ogura’s teammate, Raul Fernandez, managed to secure ninth place despite handling tire pressure difficulties during the event. Fernandez commented on the outcome, saying,
Image of: MotoGP
“To be honest, with the result, we were super lucky because we had a lot of crashes in front of us,
and added,
The good thing is, I feel good with the bike again—I feel I can ride like I want.”
Joan Mir’s Difficult Season Continues
The accident at Sachsenring intensifies the difficulties faced by Joan Mir in the 2025 season aboard the Honda RC213V. The 2020 world champion has been plagued by multiple crashes that have prematurely ended several races this year. Currently, he stands 19th in the championship rankings, far below his previous championship-winning form.
Looking Ahead to the Upcoming Race at Brno
Both Ogura and Fernandez aim to bounce back as the MotoGP paddock travels to the Czech Republic for the next round at the Masaryk Circuit in Brno. This venue marks a return to the calendar after a hiatus of four years. With 11 races remaining in the 2025 season, the riders will undoubtedly be motivated to improve their positions and regain momentum in the championship battle.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why is MotoGP not so popular?
A. Unfortunately, entertainment tends to attract more interest than sports, and MotoGP aims to benefit from this shift. However, MotoGP today lacks the personalities needed to make it exciting enough for audiences.
Q. Why isn’t MotoGP popular?
A. Unlike football, motorcycling isn’t very popular with most people. Liberty Media’s advertisements can’t bridge the gap that 90% of people feel with motorcycling. If entertainment choices were limited, things might be different, but that’s not the case today.
Q. Is MotoGP cheaper than F1?
A. The Ministry of Youth and Sports announced that hosting a Formula One event costs four times more than organizing a MotoGP race. In addition, MotoGP events are less expensive than Formula E racing events.
Q. Has anyone won F1 and MotoGP?
A. Known for being the sole World Champion on both motorcycles and Formula 1 cars, John Surtees showed equal talent and courage in both sports.
