{"id":4166,"date":"2026-10-19T15:45:00","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T18:45:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=4166"},"modified":"2026-10-19T14:43:04","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T17:43:04","slug":"ogura-reveals-why-he-rejected-honda-motogp-seat-before-historic-breakthrough","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/ogura-reveals-why-he-rejected-honda-motogp-seat-before-historic-breakthrough\/","title":{"rendered":"Ogura reveals why he rejected Honda MotoGP seat before historic breakthrough"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Ai Ogura rejected Honda&#8217;s offer to join MotoGP in 2024<\/strong>, admitting that he did not feel ready for the premier class.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Japanese rider wanted to win a world championship first and subsequently secured the <strong>2024 Moto2 title<\/strong>.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ogura became Japan&#8217;s first MotoGP race winner since 2004<\/strong> and will join Yamaha&#8217;s factory team alongside Jorge Mart\u00edn in 2027.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ai Ogura has revealed that he rejected the opportunity to join MotoGP with Honda in 2024 because he did not feel ready for the premier class<\/strong>, explaining that his priority was to secure a world championship before making the step up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Japanese rider had progressed through Honda&#8217;s development structure, beginning in the Asia Talent Cup before competing for Honda Team Asia in Moto3 and Moto2. A promotion to LCR Honda appeared possible for 2024, but Ogura instead decided to remain in the intermediate category and subsequently moved to MT Helmets-MSI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The decision changed the direction of his career. Ogura won the <strong>2024 Moto2 World Championship<\/strong>, joined Trackhouse Aprilia for his MotoGP debut in 2025 and became Japan&#8217;s first premier-class Grand Prix winner since 2004 with victory at Assen earlier this season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking in an exclusive interview with <em>Crash.net<\/em> during the Indonesian Grand Prix weekend, Ogura explained the reasons behind his decision.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I said no to Honda because I wasn&#8217;t ready for MotoGP,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;Also, I want to have one title before going to MotoGP; there are two biggest reasons.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ogura explains why he refused Honda promotion<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ogura&#8217;s decision came at a time when Honda was searching for young riders capable of strengthening its MotoGP programme.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Japanese manufacturer had followed his progress through the junior categories and considered him a natural candidate for a promotion to LCR, its satellite team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, Ogura believed that moving directly into MotoGP would have been premature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He had finished runner-up in the 2022 Moto2 championship but endured a more difficult 2023 season, affected by injuries and inconsistent results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rather than accept the opportunity, he decided to remain in Moto2 and pursue the title he felt was missing from his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The move to MT Helmets-MSI proved decisive. Ogura won the championship in 2024, becoming the first Japanese rider to secure the Moto2 title since Hiroshi Aoyama won the final 250cc world championship in 2009.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ogura explained that he had not developed a detailed long-term plan that would eventually lead him to Aprilia and Yamaha.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, he made decisions based on the opportunities and circumstances available at each stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I just made a decision which I felt was best at the situation,&#8221; he said, explaining that results influence the offers riders receive and make it difficult to plan several seasons in advance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Japanese rider also rejected the suggestion that he regretted turning down Honda.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He said he was satisfied with the decision and saw little value in revisiting choices that could no longer be changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"684\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AFP__20261002__D2248NR__v1__MidRes__MotoPrixJpn-1024x684.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1020316763\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AFP__20261002__D2248NR__v1__MidRes__MotoPrixJpn-1024x684.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AFP__20261002__D2248NR__v1__MidRes__MotoPrixJpn-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AFP__20261002__D2248NR__v1__MidRes__MotoPrixJpn-768x513.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AFP__20261002__D2248NR__v1__MidRes__MotoPrixJpn-150x100.jpg 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/10\/AFP__20261002__D2248NR__v1__MidRes__MotoPrixJpn.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Ai Ogura (Photo: AFP)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Aprilia move leads to historic Dutch GP victory<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ogura&#8217;s decision to remain in Moto2 ultimately opened a different route into MotoGP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">After winning the 2024 championship, he joined Trackhouse Racing, becoming part of Aprilia&#8217;s satellite operation alongside Ra\u00fal Fern\u00e1ndez.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The move allowed him to begin his premier-class career on an RS-GP rather than Honda machinery, with the Italian manufacturer providing a competitive technical platform.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ogura demonstrated promising speed during his rookie season, although injuries and adaptation difficulties prevented him from consistently challenging near the front.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His breakthrough came at the <strong>2026 Dutch Grand Prix<\/strong>, where he secured his first MotoGP victory and ended a 22-year wait for a Japanese winner in the premier class.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The previous Japanese rider to win a top-class Grand Prix had been Makoto Tamada at Valencia in 2004.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The achievement represented a major milestone for Ogura and reinforced his reputation as one of the most promising riders of the new MotoGP generation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His success also attracted attention from manufacturers preparing for the championship&#8217;s new technical regulations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ogura prepares historic Yamaha factory move for 2027<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ogura will leave Trackhouse at the end of 2026 to join <strong>Yamaha&#8217;s factory MotoGP team alongside Jorge Mart\u00edn<\/strong>, replacing the outgoing Fabio Quartararo and \u00c1lex Rins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The move represents another significant stage in his career, making him the first Japanese rider to compete for a Japanese factory team in the premier class since Shinya Nakano raced for Kawasaki in 2006.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Yamaha has struggled to remain competitive in recent seasons and has not won a MotoGP Grand Prix since Quartararo&#8217;s victory at the 2022 German Grand Prix.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The manufacturer is preparing a new 850cc motorcycle for 2027, when the championship will introduce revised engine regulations, reduced aerodynamics and Pirelli tyres.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ogura acknowledged the importance of representing a Japanese manufacturer, particularly for supporters in his home country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, he insisted that his responsibilities would remain focused on riding and technical feedback rather than the symbolic significance of the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;My job is to do my 100% on the bike and give my comments to them,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">He explained that Yamaha would be responsible for deciding how to use his feedback during development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The move also means Ogura will leave a Trackhouse team that had originally expected to retain him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/motogp-2027-grid-complete-all-22-riders-and-teams-confirmed-for-new-era\/\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO examined in its 2027 MotoGP grid analysis<\/strong><\/a>, Yamaha&#8217;s decision to sign Mart\u00edn and Ogura forms part of a major reshuffle ahead of the new technical era.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Honda prepares different future after Ogura&#8217;s rejection<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ogura&#8217;s decision to reject Honda in 2023 has become particularly relevant as the Japanese manufacturer prepares its own rider line-up for 2027.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Honda has secured agreements with Quartararo, Diogo Moreira, David Alonso and Johann Zarco, although the final allocation between its factory team and LCR remains subject to official confirmation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">According to recent reports, <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/motogp\/honda-set-to-pick-moreira-over-alonso-for-2027-motogp-factory-seat-as-announcement-nears\/\"><strong>Honda is set to promote Moreira alongside Quartararo<\/strong><\/a>, while Alonso is expected to begin his MotoGP career with LCR.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The manufacturer has continued rebuilding its technical operation following several difficult seasons, with the 2027 regulations providing an opportunity to develop a new motorcycle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Ogura, meanwhile, will attempt to help Yamaha return to winning form after completing his second MotoGP season with Trackhouse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The championship returns at the <strong>Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island on October 23\u201325<\/strong>, where Ogura will continue his 2026 campaign before preparing for the factory Yamaha move.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Ai Ogura says he turned down a MotoGP promotion with Honda because he was not ready and wanted a world title first \u2014 a decision that ultimately led to his Moto2 crown, Aprilia breakthrough and Yamaha factory contract.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020316420,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Ai 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