This weekend’s Spanish Grand Prix represents MotoGP’s first European event since last year’s Barcelona finale, but it is also an important checkpoint in understanding the pecking order for the 2025 season.
That’s what Trackhouse’s Aprilia team principal Davide Bribio said rookie Ai Ogra had the best race results of the season so far.
It came in the form of fifth (sprint) and fourth (GP) in the opening game of the Buriram season. Although the three rounds have not been as successful since then, Ogra manages the top 10 appearances in one race over the weekend.
Meanwhile, the Ducati riders filled the podium in all eight races after a tire penalty from Maverick Vinaru in Qatar. The RS-GP is currently locked in close battles with Honda, Yamaha and KTM machines.
“Of course, Jerez is a traditional appointment for MotoGP and is pleased to start racing in Europe,” Brivio said.
“This is also an important moment when you think you’ll start to understand the ‘values’ of this season. That’s what we can and can do. ”
Ogra had the most harsh race in the Premier class in Qatar last time, crossing the line to 15th place.
However, the Japanese have fond memories of Geres, claiming victory in the Moto2 class in 2022, and winning the Spanish CEV Junior Championship in 2017 at the Moto3 Machinery.
“Finally, we’re in Europe,” Ogra said.
“Geres is one of my favourite circuits in Spain. I can’t wait to start the weekend on another circuit. We’re slowly building up, so I look forward to starting from here.”
Teammate Raul Fernandez is looking for a breakthrough after being overtaken by Ogura in all four rounds of this season.
“First of all, I want to feel comfortable on the bike,” admitted Fernandez, who has the 12th best GP result this year.
“Now we couldn’t find anything really fast… we couldn’t exploit the biggest potential of a bike, so it’s important to feel better and faster on bikes again.”
Factory Aprilia rider Marco Betzecchi is the main rider of the Prideria, who finished seventh in the World Championships, but is only three points ahead of Ogra.