Ai Ogura's 2021 season, rookie, was somewhat overshadowed by the battle between the two riders of the KTM Ajo team. In Lusail, the Japanese distinguished himself by competing for the first places against tougher opponents, going all out. Always at Honda Asia, but under the leadership of Lucio Cecchinello this time,
Nakagami finished the race 10th and considered himself quite happy. Faced with the talent of his compatriot, does Takaaki have anything to worry about? Analysis.
Let's start by remembering that this is only the first race of the season. Anything can happen and neither will necessarily follow in the footsteps of this opening round. However, a certain dynamic has emerged in recent years.
I) Ai Ogura, rising star
8th overall last year, Ai Ogura made a strong impression, even if at beginner level, Raul Fernandez stole the show. However, the Nippon has experienced a spectacular, very rapid evolution: His first full-time season only dates back to 2019, in Moto3. A year later, he already finished 3rd in the championship and moved to Moto2.
Last year, he stood out again during the second round in Qatar, finishing in fifth position. If we omit his blank results (six in total in 18 rounds, including Valencia which he was unable to play due to a nasty injury to his left foot), Ogura, when he crosses the checkerboard, is constantly in the first nine. In a category as extensive as Moto2, this performance is notable.
Jeremy Alcoba, Ai Ogura and Raúl Fernández, in CEV in Valencia in 2018. The future was assured. Photo: Box Repsol.
Without forgetting the best lap in the race, obtained at the Styrian Grand Prix, as well as a good second place in the wheel of
Raul Fernandez produced a week later, still at Spielberg. Ai learns really quickly and rode well in Qatar despite a hit on Augusto Fernández in the last corner. Only sixth at the finish, this accident could quickly turn into a first place, provided that Celestine Vietti don't crush all the sleeves.
II) Takaaki Nakagami, what trajectory?
Arriving at LCR Honda in 2018, Nakagami’s career hasn't taken off yet. His very difficult rookie season gave way to a barely better 2019, without ever managing to shine. In addition, he was heavily injured in the shoulder during the Dutch event. This injury, which he dragged on to the end of the year without telling anyone, forced him to miss the last three races.
This is not the ideal context for finding a place at the highest level in the world. However, in 2020, the Japanese showed himself to be fiercer, more bloody, and even took care to climb into pole position on the Aragón track, which he did not convert into a race.
A season concluded in 10th place overall, first Honda far ahead Cal Crutchlow. Hopes were high for 2021, especially since a new contract had just been finalized. Unfortunately, "Taka" fell back to 15th position, subject to the law of a Honda known to be difficult.
Alex Marquez, just behind, scored six points less but gave up more (six blank results against three); this means that Takaaki was severely lacking in speed. Of 8,28 points per race in 2020, the Japanese language falls to 4,47 in 2021, almost half as much.
Nakagami finished 10th in Qatar, and was happy after the Mandalika tests. To be continued… Photo: Michelin Motorsport
A worrying situation, especially as he begins his fifth season in MotoGP, still under the same colors,
without contractual certainty for the years to come.
Ai Ogura, only 21 , couldn't he inherit the colors Idemistu in 2023? Although it may seem crazy, Nakagami, at 30 years old, is the
fifth oldest driver on the grid, at a time when the stars are increasingly precocious. A dimension not to be forgotten when doing the accounts.
What do you think of the situation? Will the 2022 Honda be versatile enough to allow “Taka” to finally get on the box? What future for Ogura? The floor is yours in the comments!
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
