Trackhouse has signed Japanese teen Ai Ogura to associate Raul Fernandez at its MotoGP workforce subsequent 12 months.
As revealed by Motorsport.com, Ogura will step as much as MotoGP in 2025 as a part of a two-year deal and exchange Trackhouse incumbent Miguel Oliveira.
The 23-year-old is at present second within the Moto2 standings this 12 months, 22 factors behind total chief and team-mate Sergio Garcia, with 10 of the 20 rounds nonetheless to run.
He has managed to beat Moto2 rival Joe Roberts to the spot, with Trackhouse understood to have held talks with the American rider a few transfer to MotoGP.
“I can see that the workforce is admittedly aggressive and the bike could be very sturdy and as a rider my job is doing what I can with all the pieces I’ve,” Ogura mentioned.
“It’s at all times the identical mentality however I’m very blissful to be a part of Trackhouse and make this step as much as MotoGP with them – I’m simply trying ahead to begin 2025.
“Now I’ve to consider the Moto2 World Championship. I’ll attempt to end this 12 months one of the simplest ways I can and arrive nicely ready in 2025.”
Ai Ogura, MT Helmets MSI
Picture by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Pictures
The choice by the Aprilia satellite tv for pc squad to rent Ogura is stunning contemplating the latter’s lengthy affiliation with Honda, which additionally gave him the chance to race in Moto2.
“We’re excited to have finalized the chance to begin a brand new mission with Ai, one of the gifted riders in Moto2,” workforce principal Davide Brivio added. “We admire his driving fashion, his resilience throughout races and we really feel Ai has the potential to grow to be a fantastic MotoGP rider.
“Whereas we’ll work to develop Trackhouse Group as a MotoGP mission, we’ll concurrently work to offer Ai the instruments to precise his expertise and develop as a lot as potential.
“I feel that with Raul, because the younger however skilled rider and Ai, as the brand new rising expertise, Trackhouse has secured a robust rider line-up for the long run.”
Pending additional developments, Ogura would be the solely rider to characterize Japan within the premier class subsequent 12 months, as Honda now plans to exchange LCR rider Takaaki Nakagami with Thai racer Somkiat Chantra.
Chantra can be racing in Moto2 this 12 months and at present sits eleventh within the standings, 10 factors behind Garcia, who now seems to be set to overlook out on a MotoGP transfer altogether regardless of being on the listing of contenders at Trackhouse.
The signing of Ogura places one other piece into the puzzle and means the 2025 grid is now near being full. Forward of this weekend’s eleventh spherical in Austria, solely 5 bulletins are but to be made – though all seats are unofficially determined.
MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi won’t depart his protege Franco Morbidelli within the lurch and can signal him to his VR46 workforce, the place he’ll type a pairing with new manufacturing facility Ducati rider Fabio Di Giannantonio.
Fermín Aldeguer, one other rider shifting up from the intermediate class, will exchange Marc Marquez at Gresini after the six-time champion joins the works Ducati squad.
An announcement concerning Chantra becoming a member of LCR might be made at any second.
Oliveira and KTM outcast Jack Miller, in the meantime, will type an all-new line-up at Pramac because it switches from Ducati to Yamaha equipment subsequent 12 months.
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