It could be said that in MotoGP, the first rule is simple: beat your teammate. But for one experienced rider, this rule has become a tough challenge.

As a rookie rider, Ai Ogura has taken over the MotoGP world by storm with his incredible debut for Trackhouse Racing. He qualified fifth at the season-opening Thailand Grand Prix, then followed with a P4 sprint finish and a P5 race finish. His strong debut seemed to continue in Argentina with a P8—until an unexpected rule violation disqualified him.

But despite this setback, Ogura has already made a name for himself. Unlike many other riders who thrive in the spotlight, he has always flown under the radar. As TNT Sports’ Neil Hodgson puts it, “He’s a guy who has been overlooked because he isn’t flashy or attention-seeking. He’s quiet and shy, but now his personality is starting to shine.”

Presenter Suzi Perry added, “He always sees the glass half-empty. Before races, he focuses on the negatives rather than hyping himself up.” Meanwhile, Michael Laverty summed it up simply: “He’s modest and understated – but fast!”

The Unexpected Pressure on Raul Fernandez

Ogura’s success has brought attention to his teammate, Raul Fernandez. Now in his fourth season in MotoGP, Fernandez achieved his best-ever championship finish in 2024, placing 16th. But with Ogura already delivering standout performances, Fernandez is under pressure.

“Ogura’s results put a huge weight on Fernandez’s shoulders,” Laverty explained. “Raul has experience—he’s had crashes, he’s led laps—but he hasn’t matched what Ogura did in Thailand. Now, he has to step up.”

When Trackhouse Racing signed Ogura, many people expected them to choose an American rider like Joe Roberts instead. This decision surprised some, but Ogura’s performances have silenced the critics pretty fast.

For now, the young Japanese rider is proving to be a brilliant choice.