Ai Ogura Aiming for Growth in Challenging Argentine Grand Prix

Ai Ogura, Trackhouse MotoGP rookie, acknowledges the challenges of the Argentine Grand Prix, a track he does not favor, but believes it is essential for his growth. Following a strong performance at the Thai GP, he looks forward to applying lessons learned while maintaining a robust team spirit.

Ai Ogura, the Trackhouse MotoGP rookie, expresses that the upcoming Argentine Grand Prix, although not among his favorite tracks, presents a valuable opportunity for growth. Following an impressive MotoGP debut, where he finished fourth and fifth at the Thai GP, Ogura approaches Argentina as the top-ranked Aprilia rider. While he acknowledges his limited success at the Termas de Rio Hondo circuit, he sees this challenging weekend as essential for his development.

Ogura recalls having only one podium finish at the Argentine circuit during his 2022 Moto2 season and does not consider it one of his strengths. Lacking prior testing experience at this venue, he is aware of the possibility of sliding down the rankings but embraces this challenge. He remarked on the uplifting team spirit following their success at the Thai GP, stating, “I was happy about my result, but the team was really happy about the whole weekend. The team atmosphere is really nice now and everybody is really motivated.”

His intention for the weekend remains to deliver maximum effort despite the challenges posed by unfamiliarity with the track. Ogura is eager to have fun and gain knowledge from this experience, remarking, “For sure before Thai GP I had two days of testing in Buriram circuit. So, I think this time things are a bit different compared to official test in Malaysia or the GP weekend in Thailand.” He anticipates that the flowing character of the Rio Hondo circuit may suit his riding style better than Buriram did.

Reflecting on his race performance at Thai GP, Ogura analyzed his strengths and weaknesses while trailing behind competitors like Pecco Bagnaia. He is optimistic that the nature of the Argentine track, which is less reliant on stop-and-go maneuvers, will facilitate his competitiveness this weekend, stating, “Luckily, this type of circuit is not really stop-and-go corners, so I hope I can be competitive this weekend.”

In summary, Ai Ogura views the Argentine Grand Prix as a crucial learning opportunity despite his discomfort with the track. Following a strong debut at the Thai GP, he remains optimistic about his performance, emphasizing the need for challenges to enhance his skills. Ogura’s positive team dynamics and strategic insights lend confidence as he prepares for this weekend’s race, focusing on maximizing his potential in the flowing layout of Termas de Rio Hondo.

Original Source: www.crash.net