After finishing the Thailand Grand Prix in second position, Ai Ogura became Moto2 world champion. The Japanese rider is the first representative of his country, in any category, to achieve such a feat in more than fifteen years. A historic triumph for the man who will make his MotoGP debut with a first title in his pocket.
It had been more than fifteen years since a Japanese representative had won a world championship title. On October 27, 2024, Ogura became the first Japanese to lift the world crown since Hiroshi Aoyama in 2009. His compatriot had won the 250cc title that season. The #73 was then eight years old.
Things were not easy on the Buriram circuit, however. Forced to go wide by Alonso Lopez at the start of the race, while he was fighting for victory, Ai Ogura saw his title slip away for a while. The #79, however, caught up with his rivals, sometimes overtaking at the limit. Back in the wake of Aron Canet, the race leader, he then chose to be cautious.
Rain had just appeared on the Chang International Circuit, and the race was aborted when conditions became critical. Second place was nevertheless enough for the man who could afford a top-5.
"I have no words, it's incredible, confides the future Trackhouse Racing driver, overcome with emotion, after crossing the finish line. I thought of all the faces that accompanied me: the team (MT Helmets Msi. Ed.), but also the people from the Asia Talent Cup and Moto3. I can never thank everyone enough. It's just great, I'm really sorry, but I can't find the words, I'm really happy."
Having arrived in the intermediate class at the dawn of the 2021 season – after having obtained his best result in the previous season in Moto3, with a third place – the Japanese rider has continued to gain momentum. Second in 2022, at the end of an intense fight for the title with Augusto Fernandez, the MT Helmets Msi rider has found an opportunity to take his revenge this season.
Ogura will therefore approach the last two events of the season, in Malaysia and Valencia, with a certain serenity. He will then make his debut in the premier class in Spain, on the occasion of the end-of-season test organized the day after the last event of the season.
The Moto2 vice-world champion title is still at stake. Aron Canet has also taken a serious option on the latter by putting 25 points in Fermín Aldeguer's sight in Buriram, after the latter's fall before the end of the first lap of the race.
The lower class championships are now decided. David Alonso won the Moto3 championship since Japan, while Ai Ogura took the world crown this weekend in Thailand. However, the MotoGP championship should live up to its promise until the end of this season. After the Buriram meeting, Jorge Martin has only a 13-point lead over Pecco Bagnaia before the Malaysian meeting.
