Veteran MotoGP team manager Davide Brivio believes Ai Ogura ranks among the finest riders he has worked with after the Japanese star claimed his maiden premier-class victory at the Dutch Grand Prix.
Brivio, whose managerial career includes world championships with Valentino Rossi and Joan Mir, said Ogura’s intelligence, steady development and willingness to learn have made him one of the most rewarding riders he has ever coached.
The Italian made the comments after Ogura led home a memorable Trackhouse Aprilia one-two finish at Assen, with teammate Raul Fernandez following him across the line after winning Saturday’s Sprint race.
“Honestly speaking, Ai is one of the best riders I ever worked with,” Brivio said.
“I mean, there are a few. But he’s for sure one of the riders that I will keep in my memory for a long time.”
Brivio has built a reputation for identifying and developing elite talent throughout his MotoGP career.
Alongside Rossi and Mir, he also played a key role in the premier-class careers of race winners Maverick Vinales and Alex Rins.
When Trackhouse announced Ogura as its MotoGP rookie for the 2025 season, however, the decision generated skepticism throughout the paddock.
Many questioned whether the reigning Moto2 champion was ready for the premier class, particularly given the number of more experienced riders available on the market.
Ogura answered those doubts almost immediately.
He finished inside the top five in each of his first two MotoGP appearances while emerging as Aprilia’s highest-finishing rider, demonstrating both speed and maturity beyond his experience.
Although injuries interrupted his rookie campaign and forced several difficult comebacks, Brivio said Ogura never stopped progressing.
“We had some injuries last year,” Brivio said.
“And sometimes coming back from the injury, we had to restart a little bit.”
“But it’s just because his approach is not explosive. He goes step by step, using what he learned.”
“I never see him going backwards.”
That patient approach has become one of Ogura’s defining strengths.
After matching his career-best MotoGP results during the opening round of the current season in Thailand, the Japanese rider steadily built momentum despite suffering a technical retirement at the Circuit of the Americas.
He returned to score his first MotoGP podium at Le Mans before solving the qualifying difficulties that had previously limited his race weekends.
Since then, Ogura has established himself as one of the championship’s most consistent performers.
He finished second in four consecutive Grands Prix before finally converting that pace into victory at Assen.
The triumph elevated him to fourth in the championship standings, only 25 points behind new championship leader Jorge Martin, who will become his teammate at the factory Yamaha squad next season.
Brivio said Ogura’s willingness to continuously learn has distinguished him from many riders.
“For sure he has a great potential,” Brivio said.
“Also he’s Japanese. He tries to learn step by step, and in this period, he’s always been very clever, trying to understand, learn and use the experience step by step.”
“For me it’s fantastic. It’s really very enjoyable working with him. I’m so happy that he’s able to show his potential.”
Both Brivio and Ogura will leave Trackhouse at the conclusion of the current campaign, although each will continue their careers within Japanese motorcycle racing projects.
Ogura has already been confirmed as a factory Yamaha rider for 2027, while Brivio is expected to move into a senior commercial management role at Honda Racing Corporation.
The veteran Italian also believes Ogura’s success carries significance beyond his own career.
As one of the few Japanese riders currently competing at the front of MotoGP, Brivio hopes the victory inspires the next generation progressing through Asia’s junior racing ladder.
“I’m also so glad, because he’s Japanese and we know we have so many kids in the Asia Talent Cup and from that area dreaming to be MotoGP riders,” Brivio said.
“So I think Ai can be an inspiration for many of them.”
“So we are so proud to be a part of that.”
Brivio also praised the progress Aprilia has made throughout the season, arguing that both Ogura and Fernandez have demonstrated the competitiveness of the manufacturer’s current MotoGP package.
“Ai’s using brilliantly all the potential of the bike,” Brivio said.
“So again, thanks to Aprilia, because the technical package allows us to do this performance.”
He highlighted the dramatic pace improvement achieved over the past year.
“Looking at the Sprint yesterday, Ai improved by 14 seconds over his 2025 time.”
“We have a great technical package and Ai, I think, is smart, trying to use it at the maximum.”
Brivio also emphasized Fernandez’s contribution to Trackhouse’s breakthrough weekend.
The Spaniard, who claimed his own MotoGP victory at Phillip Island last season, enters the summer break sixth in the championship, 55 points behind Martin.
“But same as Raul,” Brivio said.
“Because they were so close in performance. Raul won yesterday, Ai won today.”
“So you can really say they are both at a good level with this great technical package.”
