All-Japanese line-up: Ai Ogura to join Yamaha’s factory team in 2027 and 2028

Following the official departure of Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins on 30 June, Yamaha unveiled the new riders for its factory team the very next day. Ai Ogura will therefore compete for the Japanese manufacturer in the MotoGP World Championship in 2027 and 2028. The fact that Ogura will leave Trackhouse Racing at the end of 2026 to join Yamaha comes as no surprise, but it is now official.

Last weekend at Assen, Ogura enjoyed his finest moment to date in the premier class of the World Motorcycle Championship – the 25-year-old secured his first MotoGP victory. This season, the 2024 Moto2 World Champion has been putting in strong performances on the Aprilia RS-GP. Following his successful performance in the Netherlands, he is fourth in the overall standings – 25 points behind championship leader Jorge Martin. Speaking of Martin: next year, the Spaniard will be Ogura’s team-mate in the Yamaha works team.

Ai Ogura moved up to the MotoGP World Championship in 2025 as Moto2 World Champion. At Trackhouse, he has continued to develop steadily. He has now matured into a winner. In 2027, he will be riding a Yamaha M1. The new MotoGP regulations bring with them many technical changes – 850cc engines, the removal of devices and reduced aerodynamics. Another major change will be the switch from Michelin to Pirelli as tyre supplier.

Yamaha is currently bringing up the rear among the five manufacturers in MotoGP. It remains to be seen whether the balance of power will shift next year. However, it is likely that Yamaha will still need some time with the V4 M1 before it can consistently challenge for the top spots.

Nevertheless, Ogura has opted for Yamaha. Riding for a Japanese factory team as a Japanese rider is certainly a great honour for him. And sooner or later, he too will be able to fight for victories on the M1.