What rival teams are now saying about Ai Ogura after first MotoGP laps

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MotoGP action in 2025 is nearing closer as pre-season testing gets underway in Malaysia.

Teams and riders will now get the chance to test their 2025 machines at the Sepang International Circuit, with the shakedown session taking place on January 31-February 2. The Official Test is set for February 5-7.

All the full-time riders will take to the track this week, but some have had more mileage than others. Honda and Yamaha ran their 2025 competitors in the shakedown as per MotoGP’s concession system.

Furthermore, the 2025 rookies were allowed to test their bikes in the shakedown to get to grips with the machinery in the premier class.

Somkiat Chantra (Honda LCR), Fermin Aldeguer (Gresini) and Ai Ogura (Trackhouse) all step up from Moto2 to MotoGP this year, and the intermediate class champion certainly made an impression in Malaysia.

Ai Ogura impressed rival teams in Malaysia shakedown

Ogura comes to the premier class off the back of winning the Moto2 title over Aron Canet by 40 points. The Japanese rider is looking to continue the momentum with Trackhouse.

At the end of the shakedown at Sepang, Ogura finished fourth overall. The 24-year-old was four tenths off table topper Fabio Quartararo for Yamaha.

Speaking on the Crash MotoGP Podcast, journalist Peter McLaren noted it was not just Trackhouse that Ogura impressed. The Japanese rider got the team’s rivals turning heads.

“I mean Ogura, he did impress. I mean there were people from rival teams that were sort of pointing at: ‘Oh, Ogura, he’s done a good job’, he said.

“So he wasn’t just impressing, let’s say people within Aprilia and things like that. It’s a strong rookie line-up, especially he and Aldeguer, multiple race winners in Moto2.

“Everyone is waiting to see how this is going to go for Aldeguer on the GP24 of course, the reigning title-winning bike as well.

“For Ogura to be up there, it’s a strong start. The fact he did a race simulation, I think more than anything says he’s in good physical shape”.

The shocking thing Trackhouse could not ‘afford’ for their 2025 bike launch

As McLaren mentioned, Ogura was the only rider to complete a race simulation in the Sepang shakedown. The 24-year-old is certainly aiming high this season with Trackhouse.

Partnering with Raul Fernandez, the duo will be helped by having defending champion Jorge Martin with the factory Aprilia team in 2025. Fernandez says Martin is important for his season as he can learn from his fellow Spaniard’s data.

Trackhouse were the first team to unveil their 2025 challenger. The Concord-based team will sport a striking new blue and yellow colour, with MotoGP fans pointing out its similarities with Suzuki.

Shockingly, Trackhouse could not afford a professional photographer for the launch. This sends a worrying message given that team owner Justin Marks is funding the team, which is not sustainable for their future.