Ogura turns medical comeback into fourth place

Ai Ogura had not raced since the hand injury suffered in a motocross training crash that kept him out of Aragon and Misano. Initially cleared for free practice and then declared fit after another medical assessment, the Trackhouse rider qualified fifth and finished the Sprint fourth, 3.495 seconds behind Martin. He held off Alex Marquez and Bagnaia after Martin passed him during the Spaniard’s recovery.

The result exceeds the reasonable objective of simply returning: Ogura immediately put a satellite Aprilia among the factory bikes. The longer race will demand more from his hand and physical condition, however. His pace is confirmed; whether he can sustain it for the full Grand Prix distance remains the point to watch.