Ai Ogura began racing in the Idemitsu Asia Talent Cup in 2015, coming seventh overall and taking his first win and podiums before 2016 saw the young Japanese rider take another step forward as he ended the season as runner-up in the Cup - with three more wins and more podiums. 2016 also saw Ogura racing in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup and there he took his first podium, but 2017 saw a big step forward. He continued racing in the Rookies, taking two wins, five podiums and two poles, and he moved also into the FIM CEV Repsol Moto3™ Junior World Championship. In the CEV he took his first win in Jerez and set himself up for an assault further forward in 2018. Some DNFs dented his overall charge in 2018 but he was in the top five overall, took another win and numerous podiums. Ogura also made his wildcard debut in the Moto3™ World Championship and scored his first Grand Prix point. 2019 marked his arrival full time with Honda Team Asia. Surprisingly consistent, he even made it to the podium in Aragón to finish tenth. And in 2020, the native of Tokyo registered no less than seven rostrums: more than any of his competitors! But in the end, his title challenge ran out of steam, leaving Albert Arenas and Tony Arbolino ahead of him in the overall standings. 2021 saw him promoted to the Moto2™ side of Honda Team Asia and it was a hugely impressive rookie season from the Japanese rider. After a series of near misses, Ogura finally stood on the podium at the Austrian GP which helped him secure 8th place in the Championship overall. 2022 saw him come to the fore of the title fight, with three victories and four further podiums seeing him lead the Championship with two rounds to go. However, a pair of unfortunate crashes in the final two races saw him cough up the Championship to Augusto Fernandez, and he’ll be aiming to make amends in 2023.
Rider Stats
Rider Bio
Bike
Kalex
Date of birth
26/01/2001
Place of birth
Saitama, Japan
Height
169 cm
Weight
60 kg
Rider Story
News
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Ogura takes a priceless win on home soil
Ogura becomes the first Japanese winner in a Japanese GP since 2006 and closes the gap to Fernandez in the Championship
By motogp.com -
Ogura, Sasaki and Suzuki hand Japan a day to remember
The Austrian GP was the first time since Rio 2001 that we saw two Japanese riders win on the same day
By motogp.com -
Cecchinello's choice: Taka's experience or youthful Ogura?
The LCR boss opened up on the dilemma facing him as he decides who will join Alex Rins in his Honda satellite team from 2023
By motogp.com -
Arenas, Ogura and Fernandez test Moto2™ bikes in Portimao
The Moto3™ World Champion, Japanese star and Portuguese GP race winner are back on track aboard their new Triumph Moto2™ machines
By motogp.com -
Ogura set for Moto2™ as Honda Team Asia confirm 2021 line-up
The cold-blooded samurai will swap places with Andi Izdihar as Somkiat Chantra and Yuki Kunii retain their Moto2™ and Moto3™ seats
By motogp.com -
Nothing in it: Ogura homes in on Arenas
The Japanese rider is back within three points of the top – and was back on the podium last time out
By motogp.com -
Two points at the top: Ogura gains ground on Arenas
Who will leave Barcelona in the Moto3™ Championship lead? The two likely candidates are split by just two points…
By motogp.com -
Ogura pulls off magic last sector to steal debut Moto3™ pole
The Japanese rider was over a tenth down as he entered the final sector but conjured up something special to take a last-gasp pole
By motogp.com
Videos
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WATCH: Major drama as Ogura throws away title dream
The Japanese rider went down in a big crash at Turn 8, handing the Moto2™ title to Augusto Fernandez in Valencia
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Ai Vs Augusto: 2022's Moto2™ title fight so far
A Malaysian misfire from Ogura hands the advantage back to Fernandez but it was only the latest plot twist in an incredible season to date
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WATCH: Major last lap Ogura blunder throws away title lead
With just a few corners left, the Japanese rider sat second and in control of the Championship but a massive mistake saw another title twist
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Moto2™ rostrum round up: Ogura, Canet and Arbolino
Hear from your Moto2™ podium finishers after a long strategic war of pace in Jerez
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How do the Moto3™ contenders feel ahead of title-decider?
Get the thoughts of Albert Arenas, Ai Ogura and Tony Arbolino ahead of the final round of the 2020 Moto3™ World Championship
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"A crazy last 5 laps!" - Moto3™ rostrum round-up
Dennis Foggia took his first ever win ahead of Albert Arenas and Ai Ogura. Hear their thoughts from Brno
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Thoughts from Qatar: Arenas tops McPhee and Ogura
The lightweight riders give their views on the war that went down in Losail
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Big highside for Ogura, Moto3™ grid lucky to escape
The Japanese rider was sent flying from his machine in Le Mans. A miracle that the rest weren't caught up in it. Rider OK. FREE VIDEO