A Japanese rider just won MotoGP at Assen
It had been 22 long years since a Japanese rider last stood on the top step of a MotoGP podium. That last victory came in 2004 when Makoto Tamada, riding for the factory-backed Camel Honda team, won his home race at the Japanese Grand Prix. Few would have expected that it would take more than two decades before another rider from Japan repeated the feat.
Just recently, history was made at Assen as Ai Ogura claimed his first-ever MotoGP victory, becoming the first Japanese rider to win in the premier class since Tamada’s triumph 22 years ago. The Trackhouse Racing rider made his move in the closing laps, passing teammate Raul Fernandez to secure not only his maiden MotoGP victory but also the team’s first-ever one-two finish in the premier class. Fernandez crossed the line in second, while Aprilia Racing’s Jorge Martin completed the podium after starting from pole position.
The race took an early twist when championship leader Marco Bezzecchi crashed on just the second lap after losing control through the fast Ramshoek corner. He was taken to a nearby hospital for precautionary checks, with later reports confirming he had escaped serious injury.
Ogura’s victory is another milestone in what has already been an impressive sophomore MotoGP campaign. Earlier this season, he scored Japan’s first premier-class podium in more than a decade. Now, he’s ended the country’s 22-year wait for another MotoGP race winner.
The championship picture also took a dramatic turn at Assen. Bezzecchi’s early crash allowed Martin to reclaim the points lead with 193, giving the Spaniard a seven-point advantage over the Italian on 186. Fabio Di Giannantonio remains third with 177, while Ogura’s maiden MotoGP victory moves him up to fourth in the standings on 168. With only 25 points separating him from the championship leader, the Japanese rider has suddenly emerged as a genuine contender as the 2026 season heads into its next round.
