Trackhouse Racing has confirmed the acquisition of Moto2 rider Ai Ogura on a two-year contract starting in the 2025 MotoGP season.
The Japanese rider will accompany Raul Fernandez at the American outfit, following an impressive display in the 2024 Moto2 season thus far.
He currently sits second in the standings with two wins to his name, with his potential being cited as the reason for him joining Trackhouse in 2025.
Trackhouse’s project wants riders to sign up for its team and earn their success on the racetrack, and it believes Ogura fits the required description.
“First, I would like to say thanks to all the people who are part of this project and everybody who supported me,” Ogura said.
“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 start 2025.
“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!“
Ogura joins a historical list of Japanese riders to have raced in the premier class, a country that has a deep history on two-wheels.
Ogura came through the ranks of the Asia Talent Cup, before progressing further onto the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship.
Ogura remained loyal to Team Asia Honda as he embarked on a Grand Prix career, finishing third in Moto3 in 2020 before coming runners-up in Moto2 in 2022.
A switch following a difficult 2023 campaign to MT Helmets currently puts him second in the championship, 18 points behind team-mate Sergio Garcia.
Trackhouse Team Principal Davide Brivio stated: “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.
“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.”
Justin Marks, Owner of Trackhouse added: “We’re excited to welcome to the house a young and very promising talent in Ai Ogura.
“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.”
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