Ai Ogura has explained why he rejected a possible move to MotoGP with Honda in 2024. The Japanese rider says he did not feel ready for the premier class and wanted to win a world title before making the step up. That decision took him away from the expected Honda route, but it did not prevent him from reaching MotoGP one year later.

Ogura’s career had developed through Honda’s pathway. He began in the Asia Talent Cup before racing for Honda Team Asia in both Moto3 and Moto2. A promotion to LCR Honda appeared possible for 2024, but Ogura instead moved to MT Helmets-MSI. The change delivered the result he had been seeking: he won the Moto2 title that season.

A different route into MotoGP

Rather than joining Honda, Ogura entered MotoGP in 2025 with Trackhouse on a satellite Aprilia. The move quickly produced a major milestone. He won the Dutch Grand Prix earlier in the season, becoming Japan’s first MotoGP race winner since 2004.

Ogura said his decision was based on two points: he was not ready for MotoGP, and he wanted to secure one title before entering the class. He also stressed that his career could not be planned several years in advance. Results influence the proposals a rider receives, so he described his choices as decisions made from one situation to the next, year by year.

He has no regret about turning Honda down. Ogura said he is happy with the decision he made and does not spend much time revisiting past choices, since they cannot be changed. His two-year spell with Trackhouse will now lead to a factory Yamaha deal in 2027, when he is due to join Jorge Martin.

The Yamaha move places Ogura in a project that is still rebuilding. The manufacturer’s most recent victory is identified as the 2022 German Grand Prix, meaning his next challenge will extend beyond adapting to a new team and motorcycle. Ogura defines his responsibility simply: give maximum effort on the bike, provide useful comments and do whatever he can to make it go faster. How Yamaha uses that feedback, he says, is ultimately up to the manufacturer.