Ai Ogura marked his MotoGP comeback with a strong ride to 10th place in the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello, after missing two rounds due to injury.
The Japanese rookie returned to action after a broken tibia sustained in a crash during British GP practice, followed by an aborted comeback attempt at Aragon. At Mugello, Ogura kept expectations in check, focusing on regaining race rhythm rather than chasing results.
“It was fun to ride today, I think it was a good race,” Ogura told MotoGP.com. “From a tough Friday and qualifying, we ended up in a good way. My target was just to finish — but scoring points is really nice.”
Sunday’s result continued Ogura’s consistent rookie season: he has now finished in the top 10 in every race he’s completed, except Qatar.
Trackhouse Racing teammate Raul Fernandez also impressed at Mugello, taking seventh after a painful crash in Friday practice. He credited April’s Jerez test for the team’s recent improvements.
“We made a good job during the weekend, but since the Jerez test, we changed the situation,” Fernandez said. “I think I could’ve fought Franco [Morbidelli] for sixth, but my hand was in a lot of pain — I had to manage the last 10 laps.”
Despite his injury, Fernandez was pleased with his late-race recovery: “I was 14th with one lap gone and made up places one by one. Aprilia did a great job. We were competitive even at a Ducati-favoured track — and I’m happy.”
Ogura’s resilience and Fernandez’s grit give Trackhouse Racing a promising outlook heading into next weekend’s Dutch MotoGP at Assen.
