Ai Ogura Cleared to Continue Austrian MotoGP Weekend After FP1 Medical Check

Spielberg, Austria, September 18, 2026: Ai Ogura has been cleared to continue the 2026 Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix weekend after undergoing a further medical assessment following Friday’s opening Free Practice session at the Red Bull Ring.

The Trackhouse MotoGP rider had initially been given medical clearance to participate in FP1, with his condition due to be reviewed again after the session as he returned from injury.

Following FP1, Ogura was declared fit to continue for the remainder of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend. The Trackhouse MotoGP Team confirmed that the Japanese rider is “looking good for the remainder of the Austrian Grand Prix.”

Ogura missed the Aragon and San Marino Grands Prix after suffering a hand injury in a motocross training crash. The #79 rider had identified the Austrian GP as his preferred target for a return to MotoGP action.

Speaking ahead of his return, Ogura said his hand was in a condition that was “good enough to ride a bike”, although he did not expect the weekend to be straightforward.

“It’s good to be back,” said Ogura after receiving his initial medical clearance.

The Japanese rider explained that the injury occurred during what he described as a normal motocross crash, but that he landed awkwardly.

“It was just a normal crash. I touched the ground in the wrong way. It was a really unlucky situation,” Ogura said.

Ogura chose Austria for MotoGP comeback

Ogura had originally hoped to return at the Austrian Grand Prix after missing the previous two rounds.

The rider said the San Marino GP at Misano came too early in his recovery, particularly because of the nature of the circuit.

“I wanted to return for Austria. Misano was a bit too early and the track layout is not the best one for coming back from injury,” he explained.

After completing FP1 at the Red Bull Ring, Ogura underwent the additional medical assessment required to determine whether he could continue riding throughout the weekend.

With that assessment now completed and the rider declared fit, Ogura will continue with Trackhouse MotoGP for the remainder of the Austrian Grand Prix weekend aboard his Aprilia RS-GP26.

His return provides Trackhouse with its full-time rider back in action as the 2026 MotoGP season continues at the high-speed Red Bull Ring.