Ai Ogura makes his grand return to the Italian MotoGP this weekend. After missing two races due to injury, TrackHouse Racing's Japanese rookie is ready to return to the saddle at Mugello, determined to regain his racing skills.
After missing two races due to injury, Ai Ogura makes his big return to MotoGP this weekend for the Italian Grand Prix, on the legendary Mugello circuit. The team's Japanese driver TrackHouse Racing had been forced to skip the appointments of Silverstone et Aragon following an accident suffered during free practice 2 in Great Britain.
Victim of a fracture to the right tibia, Ogura had immediately undergone surgery. The condition of his leg had prevented him from successfully passing the medical check-up at MotorLand Aragon, where he had hoped to make his comeback, but to no avail. It was only during his second attempt at a comeback, this time in Tuscany, that he was finally given the medical green light.
On the eve of the weekend, Ogura wanted to calm expectations: " I'm just happy to be able to get back to competing “, he told motogp.com.
Ai Ogura: “ I am especially happy to be working with my team again »
He adds : " I don't have any particular expectations for this weekend. It will be primarily a return to the saddle. Friday will be more like a training session or a test. I'm especially happy to be working with my team again. »
Ogura also admitted that the Mugello is not his favorite circuit, but he remains enthusiastic about the idea of rediscovering the high-speed sensations on this fast and technical track: " It's not my favorite track, but it's still fun to ride. " he added with a smile.
The Japanese driver, currently 12th in the general classification with 43 points after eight rounds, therefore approaches this Italian Grand Prix with humility and caution. For him, the most important thing is elsewhere: regaining confidence, recovering time on the bike, and finding his rhythm again before hoping to fight for the top 10 again.
This discreet but expected return ofAi Ogura marks an important step in his first season in MotoGP, and the paddock will be closely following his first laps at Mugello.
