Davide Brivio told Ai Ogura two words after his MotoGP debut at the Thai Grand Prix

Add as preferred source on Google

Trackhouse Racing rider Ai Ogura was the highest-placed non-Ducati on his MotoGP debut at the Thai Grand Prix, with the Moto2 champion securing a fifth place finish.

The 24-year-old has moved up to the premier class this season as the Moto2 champion. Yet Ogura is the only rookie on the 2025 MotoGP grid without a factory contract after he signed a two-year deal directly with Trackhouse in August whilst sat second in the Moto2 standings.

MotoGP’s other rookies, Gresini rider Fermin Aldeguer and LCR racer Somkiat Chantra, both have works contracts with Ducati and Honda respectively. But neither would outshine Ogura at Buriram as the Trackhouse pilot took the chequered flag in P5, 7.450 seconds off the lead.

Davide Brivio congratulates Ai Ogura after his MotoGP debut at the Thai Grand Prix

Ogura impressed Neil Hodgson with his race craft at Buriram following the Trackhouse star’s early battle with Franco Morbidelli over P4. He also received praise this Saturday, as Ogura stunned Sylvain Guintoli with his start to the Thai Grand Prix Sprint Race after qualifying P5.

What Ogura went on to produce in the proper Thai Grand Prix this Sunday further impressed his Trackhouse team, whose mechanics were quick to shower the Japanese pilot with praise after the chequered flag. Team boss Davide Brivio also sought to praise Ogura for his race.

READ MORE: Everything to know about Ai Ogura from height to career stats

Trackhouse’s mechanics welcomed Chantra back to their garage with a round of applause as one declared that they were “super proud” of his performance in the Thai Grand Prix. Other mechanics also offered him praise, with one noting: “Well done my man, that was brilliant!”

As Chantra continued his way around the Trackhouse team, another mechanic can be heard bellowing, “Bravo, Bravo”, as well. Team boss Brivio would not let the moment pass without also adding praise with the Italian giving Chantra a pat on the back and saying, “Well done!”

Ai Ogura proved why Trackhouse signed him over Joe Roberts for the 2025 MotoGP season

Ogura made an instant and huge impression at the Thai Grand Prix to prove why Trackhouse chose to sign the Kiyose, Tokyo native for the 2025 MotoGP season over taking an American rider like Joe Roberts – who many expected to move up from Moto2 for the American team.

He was the best non-Ducati rider at Buriram this Sunday as Marc Marquez won on his debut with the Borgo Panigale squad ahead of the Spaniard’s brother Alex Marquez of Gresini on a Ducati GP24, Ducati teammate Francesco Bagnaia and VR46’s Morbidelli also using a GP24.

Ogura even finished 7.517 seconds ahead of factory Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi in P6 with the same Aprilia RS-GP25 bike that the Italian rides. Given 2025 is expected to be the Ducati show once again, it was hard for Ogura to achieve anything more than he managed with P5.