Ai Ogura has signed a two-year contract with Trackhouse Racing, confirming his graduation to the premier class starting the 2025 MotoGP season.
The Japanese sensation, currently making waves in the Moto2 championship, will partner Raul Fernandez at the American-based outfit for the 2025 and 2026 campaigns after signing a two-year contract.
Ogura’s meteoric rise through the ranks has been nothing short of remarkable. The 22-year-old has been a consistent frontrunner in Moto2, narrowly missing out on the title last year and currently sitting second in the 2024 standings.
His combination of raw talent, tactical nous, and sheer determination has caught the eye of many MotoGP teams, but it is Trackhouse Racing who have secured his signature on a long-term deal.
“First, I would like to say thanks to all the people who are part of this project and everybody who supported me,” Ogura beamed in an interview, clearly thrilled at the prospect of making his MotoGP debut with Trackhouse Racing.
“Of course, this is the dream! The final step to take. MotoGP is the maximum level you can have, so I’m obviously really happy to make it there.
“I’m very happy to be able to race in the top class and I can’t wait to do it together with Trackhouse Racing MotoGP Team. I can see that the team is really competitive and the bike is very strong and as a rider, my job is doing what I can with everything I have.
“It’s always the same mentality but I’m very happy to be part of Trackhouse and make this step up to MotoGP with them – I’m just looking forward to starting 2025 MotoGP.
“Now I have to think about the Moto2 World Championship. I’ll try to finish this year the best way I can and arrive well prepared in 2025. Thank you everybody and see you next year!”
Trackhouse Racing, founded in 2021, has quickly established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the MotoGP paddock. The American-based team has made no secret of its ambitions to challenge for race wins and championships in the near future, and the signing of Ogura is a clear statement of intent.
Team Principal Davide Brivio, who has a proven track record of nurturing young talent, was instrumental in bringing Ogura to the team.
“Welcome Ai – we are excited to have finalized the opportunity to start a new project with Ai, one of the most talented riders in Moto2,” Brivio said. “We appreciate his riding style, his resilience during races and we feel Ai has the potential to become a great MotoGP rider.
“While we will work to develop Trackhouse Team as a MotoGP project, we will simultaneously work to give Ai the tools to express his talent and grow as much as possible.
“I think that with Raul [Fernandez], as the young but experienced rider and Ai, as the new growing talent, Trackhouse has secured a strong rider line-up for the future.
“It’s going to be an exciting time ahead but first we all want to keep our focus on what we are doing now, our own championship and trying to finish at the best possible result, before to start our journey together.”
Ogura began his racing career in the Asia Talent Cup before stepping up to the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship.
After deciding to pursue a career in Grand Prix racing, Ogura continued with Team Asia Honda, placing third in Moto3 in 2020 and second in Moto2 in 2022. He is currently 18 points behind teammate Sergio Garcia in the championship after switching to MT Helmets after a challenging 2023 campaign.
“We’re excited to welcome to the house a young and very promising talent in Ai Ogura,” Trackhouse Racing team owner Justin Marks added. “He has demonstrated his preparation and commitment to winning in Moto2 and is ready for the step up to the MotoGP class.
“We’re looking forward to working with him and supporting him as he learns the Aprilia bike and the incredible competition at the top level of international motorcycle racing.
“Trackhouse Racing MotoGP was created to serve as the global expansion initiative of the Trackhouse brand.
“It’s truly exciting that we now have an athlete roster across our teams that represents Mexico, USA, Spain, New Zealand, and now Japan.”
Ogura replaces Miguel Oliveira at the American team with the Portuguese rider reportedly set to move to Pramac Yamaha for 2025 MotoGP.
