Ogura returns to action for MotoGP Italian GP

Ai Ogura has been cleared to race in the Italian Grand Prix following medical checks at the Mugello track.

The Japanese rider missed both the Aragon and British Grand Prix after fracturing his right tibia during a crash in the first practice session at Silverstone. 

Ogura had surgery on his leg following the incident, and reports that his recovery has gone smoothly.

The Trackhouse Aprilia racer has so far not felt any permanent impact from the injuries he sustained in the crash. 

“It’s much better than I expected, no pain,” said Ogura. “Mobility is ok, it’s the same as the other leg so it’s fine. Let’s see on the bike, but after living a normal life [to recover], I’m fully OK.”

A key problem ahead of the weekend is that Ogura has not been able to undertake any fitness training ahead of the weekend, not even basic bike training. He enters the weekend as something of an unknown at a track that features lots of flowing high-speed corners, which he isn’t a fan of.

Due to his injury, Ogura also missed the Monday test day following the Aragon Grand Prix. Moto2 points leader Manuel Gonzalez swooped into the Trackhouse team to test Ogura’s bike instead, and Ogura heard that he made quite the impression.

“It was impressive, the laptimes were really fast,” said Ogura. “I heard from many people that he was doing great, so I think it was a really good test for him.”