Ai is the latest addition to the silly season. In a move nobody expected he was signed by Trackhouse Racing MotoGP Team. The spot has been heavily linked with Moto2 rider Joe Roberts, who has had a breakout season so far and would fit the American agenda of the team.
So why did Justin Marks, the owner of the Trackhouse Racing MotoGP Team choose the Japanese talent?
Well first and foremost currently Ai Ogura is only second behind Sergio Garcia in standings of the Moto2 Championship. He has put together a confident season so far riding for MT Helmets — MSI, winning in Catalunya and Assen.
In his third year in Moto3 he was able to secure the 3rd position, which was enough to level up to Moto2, where he showed what kind of cloth he is cut from. He was 8th in his first year and 2nd in his second year, both in Idemitsu colours.
Let me introduce the rivalry that will possibly move to the MotoGP: there has been a lot of speculation about Somkiat Chantra moving up to 1000cc.
Ai Ogura and Somkiat Chantra are now sharing the glory in the Moto2 category, where Ogura seems to have the upper hand. But nonetheless after Ai got his MotoGP contract, there is a likely scenario where Somkiat gets Takaaki Nakagami’s seat at Idemitsu Honda LCR
Where did the rivalry start? Somkiat first entered the limelight at the Asia Talent Cup in 2014. He quickly adapted to the pace but in 2015 after a strong start he only finished 12th because of an injury. The next year he came back stronger than ever, racking up points. Before the last race, Ai Ogura was the standings leader and everyone expected him to win the ATC. However, the least likely, but mathematically still capable rider to win the championship, Somkiat Chantra had other ideas. He dominated the race, but that wouldn’t be enough to win the championship, he needed Ai Ogura and Andi Izdihar to slip out of the race, which both happened due to the wet conditions. Somkiat Chantra became the first not Japanese rider to win the ATC.
BME Veloce Corse 