MotoGP] Ai Ogura is the first Japanese on the podium in 14 years! Katsuyuki Nakasuga was also impressed: "But I came in second.

　Ai Ogura (TrackHouse MotoGP Team) made an impressive pursuit of the podium at the French GP, the fifth round of the 2026 MotoGP season, to finish 3rd, marking the first time in 14 years since the 2012 Valencia GP (Round 18) that a Japanese rider has made the podium in the MotoGP class. For many years, the podium in the highest class of MotoGP has been a distant prospect for Japanese riders. Ogura maintained a steady pace in the race, steadily improving his position, and by the end of the race, he showed speed on par with the top group. His performance was not only a result, but also a performance that is to be highly regarded.

One person who was greatly moved by this historic podium was Katsuyuki Nakasuga, who excitedly recalled Ogura's race in an interview at the Suzuka 8 Hours test the week after the race. I saw it. I saw it. I was really moved. I was really moved! Go! I was really cheering for them. I was really cheering for the Japanese top riders. Nakasuga, one of Japan's top riders, was also moved by Ogura's daring overtake and his momentum in the final laps. Nakasuga himself finished 2nd in the 2012 Valencia GP, the most recent podium finish by a Japanese rider in the MotoGP class. This was the most recent podium finish by a Japanese rider in the MotoGP class. This was the most recent podium finish by a Japanese rider in the MotoGP class. Although it was a spot entry, it is still talked about today as a great race where he showed great performance in difficult rainy conditions. Nakasuga praised Ogura, but also said with humor, "Well, I'm more of a second-place rider. But I'm in second place (laughs). Nakasuga jokingly expressed his pride in his own record, but he has high hopes for Ogura's future. I was really happy. I was really happy. I had so much momentum that if I had done four or five more laps, I would have won," he said. I think this result gave him a lot of confidence, and I think he is a rider who will continue to improve. Ai Ogura's first podium finish in 14 years may mark the beginning of a new era in the world of Japanese motorcycle road racing. To the gallery (3)