In the demanding arena of MotoGP, the first rule of motorsport is clear: defeat your own teammate. However, Ai Ogura, the rookie from Trackhouse MotoGP Team, has been surprising by challenging this maxim in an unexpected way. His impressive performance in the first races of the season has put new pressure on the more experienced Raúl Fernández.
Neil Hodgson, former rider and now commentator, highlighted Ogura’s peculiar personality, a rider often underestimated throughout his career: ‘He is not one of those riders who make grand gestures or look to be the center of attention. He is a reserved and shy individual, but, suddenly, his true personality is starting to emerge’, he told TNT Sports, as quoted by Crash.
Hodgson added that Ogura has an ironic sense of humor and an unconventional approach to racing: ‘He is one of those who always see the glass half empty. In any pre-race interview, he only emphasizes the negative aspects and never says that a circuit will be favorable for him’.
Hodgson also recalled the rider’s posture, sparing in words, but practical above all: ‘When journalists ask him «What do you need to improve?» He gives short one-line answers like «I need to be faster!». His peculiar personality is really starting to shine’.