Ai Ogura has admitted that seeing his strongest result of the 2025 MotoGP season come in his very first race has been mentally tough, saying it created doubts that “still hurt” him as the year went on.
The reigning 2024 Moto2 world champion was a surprise choice for Trackhouse Aprilia, but immediately impressed at the opening round in Thailand. Ogura scored two top-five finishes at Buriram, including fifth place in the grand prix, and quickly emerged as a leading contender for rookie of the year.
However, the momentum from that opening weekend never carried through the rest of the season. A combination of injuries and inconsistent form prevented the Japanese rider from matching his early promise, with stronger results only returning in the final rounds.
Looking back, Ogura said the early success actually worked against him rather than boosting his confidence.
He explained that starting so strongly made him question whether that level truly reflected his ability, especially when the following races failed to deliver similar results. Those doubts lingered throughout the year, even though he managed several top-10 finishes and ended the season on a more positive note.
Ogura admitted there were moments when he questioned whether he belonged in MotoGP, particularly during injury setbacks, but said improved performances late in the season helped restore his belief. He now feels optimistic about what lies ahead.
Describing his rookie campaign as “nothing special,” Ogura said it was filled with races, crashes and injuries, but also valuable lessons. While the season did not exceed his expectations, he stressed that there were still plenty of positives and that completing his first year in MotoGP has left him motivated for his second season.
He added that he tends to prepare for worst-case scenarios, which meant few surprises along the way, and believes that mindset will help him build toward a stronger future.
