The 2025 MotoGP season is closing in, and three exciting rookies are gearing up to make their debut in the premier class. Ai Ogura, Fermin Aldeguer, and Somkiat Chantra are bringing their unique talents and potential to the grid. Let’s take a closer look at what these rising stars will bring to MotoGP.

Ai Ogura: Japan’s Rising Star

Ai Ogura’s rise through the ranks of motorcycle racing feels like a dream come true. Starting in the Asia Talent Cup in 2015, the Japanese rider quickly found himself on the podiums. By 2017, he was dazzling audiences in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup with his first podium finish.

Ogura’s entry into Moto3 in 2019 with Honda Team Asia marked the beginning of a new chapter in his racing career. By 2020, he was in championship contention, securing seven podium finishes and claiming P3 in the overall standings.

The move to Moto2 in 2021 only further showcased his skill, with multiple podiums in his debut season and a breakout performance in 2022. Ogura came heartbreakingly close to the Moto2 title, as he led the championship before a late-season crash dashed his hopes.

However, his redemption arc came in 2024 when Ogura secured the Moto2 Championship. Now, with Trackhouse Racing, Ogura brings his championship-winning form to MotoGP, where he will be eager to become Japan’s next great hope.

Fermin Aldeguer: Spain’s Prodigy

Fermin Aldeguer is a name buzzing in the racing world. His journey began at just six years old when he won Spain’s mini-bike championships before moving up to the European Talent Cup in 2018. By the time he debuted in Moto2, Aldeguer was unstoppable, winning six consecutive races in his rookie season.

In a bold move, Aldeguer joined MotoE in 2021 before stepping into Moto2 midway through the season. His speed and adaptability caught the paddock’s attention, and in 2023, he proved his importance with a record-breaking streak of four consecutive wins. This jaw-dropping performance secured him P3 in the championship and even made Ducati take notice. By early 2024, Ducati offered him a two-year deal.

In 2025, Aldeguer joins Gresini Racing and Ducati, where he’ll race on the GP24 bike. With Ducati’s winning legacy and Aldeguer’s unmatched racecraft, he is set to make waves in his rookie season.

Somkiat Chantra: Thailand’s Trailblazer

Somkiat Chantra is no stranger to breaking barriers. As Thailand’s first-ever Grand Prix winner, Chantra’s journey has been both groundbreaking and inspiring. He started in the Asia Talent Cup before making his Moto2 debut with Idemitsu Honda Team Asia in 2019.

While his early seasons were challenging, Chantra’s breakthrough came in 2022 with a stunning victory at Mandalika, along with multiple podium finishes. By 2023, Chantra had added another victory to his resume, this time on home soil at the Japanese Grand Prix.

Though his 2024 season was less eventful, his talent caught the eye of LCR Honda, who signed him for MotoGP in 2025 to replace Takaaki Nakagami. This move makes Chantra the first Thai rider to compete in MotoGP.