Ai Ogura

Born on January 26, 2001, in Kiyose, Japan, Ai Ogura was destined for a life on two wheels. The son of a motorcycle enthusiast, he was introduced to racing at an extraordinarily young age, first riding a pocketbike at just three years old. By four, he was already participating in races, displaying the natural talent that would eventually carry him to motorcycling's premier class.

After turning nine, Ogura stepped up to mini-bikes, continuing his rapid progression through the junior ranks. His early immersion in motorcycle culture, combined with his father's passion for the sport, provided the foundation for what would become a remarkable racing career.

Ogura's path to MotoGP began with his selection for the Asia Talent Cup in 2015 at age 14, participating in just the second season of the championship. He immediately made his mark with one win and three podiums, establishing himself as a talent to watch.

In 2016, he expanded his horizons by joining the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, achieving a podium finish and 11th overall while simultaneously competing in his second Asia Talent Cup season, where he finished as runner-up. His success earned him a coveted seat with Honda's Asia Talent Team in the FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship, where he secured a victory at Jerez.

The 2017 season saw continued progress in the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup, where despite missing several races due to injury, Ogura managed five podiums including two wins. He concluded his junior career in 2018 with his final FIM CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship campaign, earning five podiums and a victory in Valencia.

Ogura's transition to Grand Prix racing saw him compete in Moto3 and Moto2 for Idemitsu Honda Team Asia. His breakthrough moment came in 2022 when he finished as Moto2 championship runner-up, serving notice that he was ready to challenge for the title.

The 2024 season marked the pinnacle of Ogura's career to date, as he claimed the Moto2 World Championship with MT Helmets – MSi. This historic achievement made him the first Japanese rider to win a world championship in fifteen years, since Hiroshi Aoyama's triumph in 2009. The title also distinguished him as the first Asia Talent Cup graduate to reach MotoGP, alongside fellow graduate Somkiat Chantra.

Following his championship success, Ogura made the leap to MotoGP's premier class, joining Trackhouse MotoGP Team. His journey from a three-year-old on a pocketbike to MotoGP represents one of the most compelling rise-through-the-ranks stories in recent motorcycle racing history.