Marco Bezzecchi
With the first stop on the 2026 MotoGP calendar now upon us, Jorge Martin is expecting big things from Ai Ogura after seeing his impressive lap times at last week’s Buriram test.
During his debut in the premier class last year at the Thailand Grand Prix, Ai Ogura stunned everybody with a fifth-place finish at the chequered flag.
The Trackhouse rider had shown some good potential in the pre-season tests that led up to his maiden voyage in MotoGP, and Ogura had pundit Neil Hodgson eating his words after he became Aprilia’s leading rider in Buriram.
There must be something about the circuit in Thailand that Ogura absolutely loves. Upon the grid’s return to action in pre-season testing this year, the Japanese rider once again showed his prowess.
His race simulations were second to none, which indicates that Ogura could potentially go one step further this year and find himself in contention for a podium, or even a maiden victory in the premier class.
- READ MORE: MotoGP experts predict Thai GP as Marc Marquez opens title defence and Toprak Razgatlioglu debuts
Could we get a surprise winner at the Thailand Grand Prix?
Jorge Martin says Ai Ogura is ‘one of the favourites’ for the Thailand Grand Prix
In an interview with Marca ahead of the 2026 season-opener, former world champion Jorge Martin was first asked for his thoughts on who the protagonists in the title fight will be this year.
The Spaniard replied, “We’ll see throughout the year. I know our bike has improved; it’s improved since I first tested it in Valencia, and now it’s working well.
“I can ride with a much more natural style, the bike is more stable, less reactive, and there’s still room for improvement. It will be an intense fight.
“More than Ducati, the rival is Marc [Marquez], because he’s the one who won the world championship and is the favourite, above all others, but I see Marco [Bezzecchi] as very competitive, based on how he performed in the test; he’s truly intimidating. Now we’ll see if he’s just as competitive in the races.”
Then asked about the possibility of Ogura putting up another good performance in Thailand following his strong lap times in testing, Martin said, “It’s a track that suits him well.
“He’s very talented, obviously, and he’s one of the favourites here, along with Marco. Seeing the test, I’d bet money on him.”
What is your favourite moment at the Thailand Grand Prix?
Ai Ogura needs to consistently perform as he did at the 2025 Thailand Grand Prix
The 2025 Thailand Grand Prix ended up being the Japanese rider’s most lucrative race weekend of the season.
He was unable to replicate his P4 in the Sprint and P5 in the Grand Prix over the course of the rest of the season, and his stock on the grid took a hit because of it.
Despite being linked with replacing Martin at the factory Aprilia outfit amid the Spaniard’s contract dispute, Ogura ended the season down in 16th, with almost less than half of the points that his Trackhouse teammate, Raul Fernandez, accrued.
Unfortunately, injuries plagued Ogura’s chances of competing at the best of his abilities, with Fermin Aldeguer taking a convincing victory in the race for the Rookie of the Year title.
Now on the eve of his sophomore term in the premier class, the Japanese rider can properly cement himself as one to watch for the future with another strong result in Buriram.
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