Ai Ogura delivered an impressive performance in the ThaiGP, showing strong consistency and race management despite the extreme conditions.
The Japanese rider, who has a history of excelling in hot and humid weather, remained optimistic about his pace heading into the main race.
“We Are Still There, So I’m Happy”
Speaking after the race, Ogura acknowledged the challenges but expressed satisfaction with his overall performance.
“This is the sprint, starting laps only, and tomorrow’s main race is going to be a little bit more complicated. But today, even with the main race distance, we are still there, so I’m happy.”
When asked if he was surprised by his pace, he responded with a laugh: “No, a little bit—A LOT.”
The harsh conditions at Chang International Circuit tested riders’ ability to manage tyre degradation. Ogura admitted that he experienced more drop-off than expected, particularly in the final laps, but he had prepared for it beforehand.
“I had a higher drop than I expected, but the last six to seven laps were quite difficult to manage. However, I expected it before the race, so it wasn’t a bad surprise for me. It was manageable. Physically? I was fully okay.”
One of Ogura’s standout qualities is his race consistency, and in the scorching Thai heat, he believes it played to his advantage.
“For this kind of hot condition, for me, it’s an advantage because I think for other riders it’s tougher, and I don’t feel it as much. So that’s a good point.”
Despite the tough tyre management, Ogura credited his ability to adapt and learn from past experiences, particularly in the practice sessions leading up to the race.
“The hardest thing for me was managing the tyre, but yesterday I learned a lot by backing off. I just did the same today, and my pace was quite okay until the end.”
When asked why he seems to handle extreme heat better than others, Ogura attributed it to his early racing experience in Asia.
“Maybe because I did a lot of races in Asia when I was in the Asia Talent Cup. That’s one of the reasons.”
With a strong foundation in the sprint, Ogura now sets his sights on the main race, where strategy and endurance will be even more crucial. His ability to manage tyre degradation and maintain consistency in the heat could make him a serious contender for a podium finish.
The 2025 Thai GP has already proven to be an intense battle, and Ogura is ready for the challenge.
Credit Photo : Sorawit/SNE Sports
