Ogura secures top spot and dominates on Day 1 in Austria

Practice 1 for Moto2™ delivered further drama at the Motorrad Grand Prix von Österreich, with Ai Ogura (MT Helmets – MSI) completing the clean sweep on Friday. The Japanese star ended the day with a brilliant late time, raising the bar after setting a strong 1:33.943. The #79 ends the day with a stunning 0.152s advantage over the field, with Aron Canet (Fantic Racing) chasing behind in second. The #44 entered the session with added confidence after announcing that he would continue with Fantic Racing for the 2025 season. Behind the Spaniard was compatriot Manuel Gonzalez (QJMOTOR Gresini Moto2™), who was third and continues to look strong this weekend.

Ogura was fastest early on with a one-tenth advantage over the field as the pace began to heat up at the Red Bull Ring. Time attacks began to start with 10 minutes remaining as Ogura’s teammate, Garcia improved on his time to place second. Somkiat Chantra (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) also improved, stealing top honours with a handful of minutes remaining before Alonso Lopez (Sync SpeedUp), Marcos Ramirez (OnlyFans American Racing Team) and then finally Ogura reclaimed P1.

Ramirez dropped to fourth after a strong run at the of the day, finishing a mere 0.329s adrift from Ogura’s benchmark. The #24 was ahead of the impressive Celestino Vietti (Red Bull KTM Ajo), who is back on form after a crash in Free Practice. The Italian placed ahead of Lopez, who found time when it continued to end the day in front of Chantra. The #35 has yet to announce his 2025 plans but is continuing to look strong in Moto2™. Meanwhile, Championship leader Garcia was eighth as the chequered flag flew as all attention now turns to Saturday.

Meanwhile, the final spots inside the top 10 went the way of Tony Arbolino (Elf Marc VDS Racing Team) and CFMOTO Inde Aspar Team’s Jake Dixon, with the British rider also improving late. Behind Dixon after a strong showing was Jaume Masia (Preicanos Racing Team), taking P11 ahead of Darryn Binder (Liqui Moly Husqvarna Intact GP) and teammate Bo Bendsneyder, who completed a great day for the Preicanos Racing Team. The final spot inside the top 14 went the way of Fermin Aldeguer (Sync SpeedUp), with time to find on Saturday.

This leaves some big names outside the top 14 including Joe Roberts (OnlyFans American Racing Team), with the American down in 21^st on Friday. During the session, Mattia Pasini (Team Ciatti Boscoscuro) suffered his second crash of the day, losing the front at Turn 2a. The Italian was not the only rider to fall with Mario Aji (IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia) crashing at Turn 10 after a solid start to the session. 

Moto2™ returns to action at 9:25 local time (UTC +2) on Saturday for Practice 2 before an unmissable qualifying begins at 13:45 local time, so make sure you don’t miss anything on motogp.com!

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