There are a variety of colleges of thought on the subject of attacking the monitor. Among the many hottest is the concept it is best to all the time be pushing the bounds if you wish to enhance and that typically, which means you may crash lots till you learn how far is just too far.
We have seen loads of skilled racers like this over time. There is a cause that Cal Crutchlow had the nickname “Crashlow” in sure circles. However one other significant principle is that of consistency. And when you have a rider who not solely has a monitor report of ending races, however who additionally tends to make important headway climbing up by the pack regardless of the place they qualify, you are going to wish to take a look at having them be part of your crew.
Particularly in the event that they’re at present sitting in second within the 2024 Moto2 rider championship factors standings.
I am speaking, after all, about Ai Ogura, who Trackhouse Aprilia MotoGP has simply signed for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. He’ll be partnering with Raul Fernandez, and entering into the place that might be vacated by Miguel Oliveira.
If you have not been watching the 2024 Moto2 season, there’s nonetheless time to tune in. On the time of writing, we’re heading proper into the MotoGP Austria weekend, so there’s the truth is no higher time than the current.
Proper now, although, I’ll discuss to you about what anybody watching the season thus far has seen with Ogura, and that is a constant, thrilling racer.
He is aware of how one can end races, and usually, he is aware of how one can find yourself in a considerably higher place than he might essentially have certified in. He makes passes look simple, simply leapfrogging his manner up by the sector and making sensible choices on when and the place to get round whoever’s at present in entrance of him. In the event you get pleasure from watching overtakes, he is completely one to control this season.
To show, I’ve put collectively a helpful desk illustrating the place he certified in each Moto2 race thus far in 2024, in addition to the place he completed. He is received two races, however I will be the exact opposite of shocked to see him win extra within the remaining race weekends on the 2024 calendar.
Granted, issues appear to have bucked the pattern on the British GP, with Ogura qualifying in first and ending the race in 14th. However in all 9 of the previous races, he persistently climbed by the ranks to complete in a greater (and typically a lot better) place than he began.
He is proven a eager understanding of racing, of his bike, and of his rivals, and he is made strong choices to get him to the place he is at present sitting within the championship. Oh, and he is solely 23, so there’s time and room to develop with Trackhouse Aprilia, if the partnership works out.
In the event you’re new to the Ai Ogura prepare, there are nonetheless 10 extra races within the season, together with Austria this weekend. Test in to see tomorrow’s Aprilia hero (a minimum of, so Trackhouse is hoping) at present.
