MotoGP: Trackhouse Racing signs Ai Ogura to play Miguel

Japanese rider Ai Ogura will make her MotoGP debut in the 2025 season after signing a two-year contract with Aprilia satellite team Trackhouse. The news was announced on Thursday during the Austrian Grand Prix. The 23-year-old has shown exceptional talent, finishing third in the 2020 Moto3 World Championship and runner-up in the 2022 Moto2 Championship. Ogura has enjoyed continued success in the current Moto2 season, where she has already claimed two wins and remains second in the standings. Ogura joins Trackhouse’s Raúl Fernández in a promising line-up of young riders. With the departure of Miguel Oliveira, the team will field two riders on identical Aprilia RS-GP motorcycles, the same equipment as the factory Aprilia Racing team. This strategic alliance gives Aprilia a competitive edge in the MotoGP World Championship for the next two seasons.

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“First of all, I want to thank everyone involved in this project and everyone who has supported me,” said Ai Ogura. “Of course, this is the dream! This is the last step. MotoGP is the highest level you can reach, so of course I’m happy to have reached this level. I’m excited to be racing at the top level and I can’t wait to race with the Trackhouse Racing MotoGP team. I can see that the team is competitive, the bike is strong, and as a rider my job is to do my best. My mentality has always been the same, but I’m very happy to be part of Trackhouse and to be taking the step towards MotoGP with them – I’m just looking forward to the start of 2025. Now I have to think about the Moto2 World Championship. I’ll do my best to end this year in the best possible way and be well prepared in 2025. Thank you everyone and see you next year!”

MotoGP: The rider market in 2025

As the 2024 MotoGP season approaches its midpoint, the rider market for next year is heating up. While only five seats remain undecided, the overall picture for 2025 is becoming increasingly clear.

Valentino Rossi’s VR46 Ducati team will field a strong pair of riders, with Franco Morbidelli set to join the team alongside new Ducati factory rider Fabio Di Giannantonio. Meanwhile, the Gresini Racing MotoGP team will see a major change, with Moto2 rising star Fermin Aldeguer likely to replace Marc Marquez, who is set to join the Ducati factory team.

Also read: MotoGP: Fabio Di Giannantonio to stay with VR46 until 2026 and will race on a Ducati factory bike in 2025

With Ogura confirmed to race for Trackhouse Racing, Thai racer Somkiat Chantra is also likely to join LCR Honda. In addition, the Pramac Racing team will make a major change, switching from Ducati to Yamaha machinery. Miguel Oliveira is expected to join the team, and Jack Miller is also rumored to join the new lineup after leaving KTM.

As the 2024 season gets underway, fans can look forward to further official announcements that will finalize the 2025 MotoGP race schedule and set the stage for an exciting and hotly contested championship.