Davide Brivio, who celebrated his MotoGP title with Valentino Rossi and Joan Mir, described Assen winner Ai Ogura as “probably the greatest riders I’ve ever labored with”.
In addition to Mir, fellow race winners Maverick Viñales and Alex Rins had been amongst these given MotoGP depart by Brivio.
Nonetheless, the Italian initially confronted some criticism when he chosen Ogura to affix his Trackhouse Aprilia staff as a 2025 newcomer.
Davide Brivio, Ai Ogura, 2026 Assen MotoGP.
© Gold & Goose
Ogura rapidly silenced his doubters with two top-five finishes in his MotoGP debut as a number one Aprilia earlier than accidents compelled him to “reset” a number of instances throughout his rookie season.
The previous Moto2 champion then began the season by equaling his finest end in Thailand, however this time he constructed on that momentum and took his first podium at Le Mans after a technical downside at COTA.
Since resolving his qualifying struggles, Ogura completed second, second, second and eventually first at Sunday’s Assen Grand Prix, forming a dream trackhouse one-two with teammate and dash winner Raul Fernandez.
Brivio and Ogura will depart Trackhouse on the finish of this season to affix different initiatives in Japan.
Ogura has formally joined Yamaha, the place Brivio began his MotoGP profession and received 4 titles with Rossi, and the Italian will take up a senior industrial place at HRC.
Davide Brivio, Raul Fernandes, Ai Ogura, 2026 Assen MotoGP.
© Gold & Goose
“Truthfully, Ai is among the finest riders I’ve ever labored with,” Brivio stated after Ogura’s win at Assen.
“I imply, there are just a few. However he’s undoubtedly one of many riders I’ll bear in mind for a very long time.
“As you all bear in mind, when Trackhouse determined to amass Eye, it was a little bit of a query mark, however we’re certain he has nice potential.
“Additionally, he’s Japanese and he’s attempting to be taught step-by-step, however throughout this time he’s all the time very good. He’s attempting to know, be taught and make the most of the expertise step-by-step.”
“I’ve by no means seen him step again. We had some accidents final 12 months, and typically we needed to come again from accidents and restart a little bit bit.”
“However that is as a result of his strategy will not be explosive, he takes what he has discovered and takes it step-by-step.
“For me it is nice. I actually, actually get pleasure from working with him. I am very completely happy that he can present what he is able to.”
“Additionally, he’s Japanese and I’m very completely happy as a result of I do know there are a number of children from that area who dream of competing within the Asia Expertise Cup and changing into MotoGP riders.”
“So I believe Ai shall be an inspiration to a number of them. So we’re very proud to be part of that.”
Ai Ogura, Raul Fernandes, 2026 Assen MotoGP.
© Gold & Goose
Brivio additionally highlighted Aprilia’s progress this season.
“Ai brilliantly exploits all the probabilities[of the bike]. Thanks once more to Aprilia, as a result of the expertise bundle has made this efficiency attainable.”
“When you take a look at yesterday’s dash, Ai improved 14 seconds (in comparison with the 2025 time).
“So now we have an awesome expertise bundle and I believe Ai is sensible in attempting to profit from it.
“However the identical goes for Raul. It was so shut that Raul received yesterday and Love received at this time.
“So each are at an excellent stage relating to this nice expertise bundle.”
Ogura at the moment sits in fourth place within the World Championship, 25 factors behind new chief and future Yamaha manufacturing unit teammate Jorge Martin.
Fernandes, who received the Grand Prix at Phillip Island final 12 months, is in sixth place, 55 factors behind the chief.
