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AI OGURA WINS FIRST MOTOGP
RIDER: Ai Ogura BIKE: Aprilia RS-GP PHOTO: MotoGP
COMMENT: In winning the MotoGP race at the Dutch TT on June 28, 2026, Ai Ogura became only the seventh Japanese rider to win a premier class race in motorcycle grand prix racing. Ogura is the first in 22 years, since Makoto Tamada in 2004.
Seven Japanese riders have won a total of 10 Grand Prix races in the premier class, starting in 1975. The others are, 1975: Hideo Kanaya( Yamaha), 1975 Austrian 500 Grand Prix, Salzburgring. 1982: Takazumi Katayama( Honda), Swedish 500 Grand Prix, Anderstorp. 1996 / 2000: Norifumi Abe( Yamaha), Japanese 500 Grand Prix, Suzuka Circuit. 1997 / 99: Tadayuki Okada( Honda), Indonesian 500 Grand Prix, Sentul International Circuit, Australian 500 Grand Prix, Phillip Island. 2002: Tohru Ukawa( Honda), South African MotoGP, Phakisa Freeway. 2004: Makoto Tamada( Honda), Brazilian MotoGP, Autódromo Internacional Nelson Piquet; Japanese MotoGP, Twin Ring Motegi. [ Words: Michael Esdaile ]
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