Trackhouse Aprilia Manager Brivio on Nurturing Rookie Talent: “No Patent Recipe”
At Trackhouse Aprilia, one of three MotoGP rookies is competing this season with AI Ogura. in an interview, team manager Davide Brivio explains how to recognize and promote talent, and what AI Ogura does notably well.
Rookie Ai Ogura achieved his best result on his first MotoGP weekend: with 17 points over the weekend, a 4th place in the sprint, and a 5th place in the Thailand GP, he had a more than steep start. At Silverstone at the end of May, an injury slowed him down, and the rookie is still struggling, especially in cool conditions. But Ogura’s rocket start made an impression!
Trackhouse Aprilia team manager Davide Brivio told Speedweek.com: “Of course, it was a surprise because we had expected him to need more time to get used to MotoGP.”
What is the secret to Ogura’s top start? Brivio explained: “We had a test in Thailand before the race. It was also very hot, which is one of the conditions he likes on the track. So it was a combination of different factors,but of course,the performance for a first race was amazing. We can see what he is capable of.”
The Thailand race was notable, but unluckily, Ogura could no longer build on the achievements of the first race. brivio stated: “Now we are more in a normal rookie season where he has to learn,make mistakes,and gain experience.”
Brivio has extensive experience working with young talent. promoting a rookie like Ogura is nothing new for the Italian. Brivio commented: “Ther is no recipe that always works. Actually, rookies usually need the first year to learn. Then you can see the signs throughout the year: an FP1,a qualifying session where you show there is potential. With AI, this was already evident in the first race.”
Ogura became the Moto2 world champion in 2024 and moved up to MotoGP at the age of 24. Brivio elaborated: “Everyone has their own history and their own schedule. An Aldeguer is having a great season as a rookie and is only 20 years old.Ai is 24. I still remember Zarco arriving at 27. then lorenzo and Marquez came at 18.So everyone has their own time to get to MotoGP. and everyone needs their time to learn. Look at Alex Marquez. It took him four or five years to reach this level. His brother won the championship in the first year. So there is no patent recipe.”
Brivio continued: “But of course,you have to choose someone. You choose a rookie and then start working with them.You follow the flow and try to gain experience together.To get to know each other, the rider has to gain experience. And everyone has their own system for it and their own schedule. so you just have to keep working and try to find out where you can help the rider. You also have to understand their character, know what they need, and try to provide that.”
Brivio appears to be successful at Trackhouse, with Ogura slowly rebuilding consistency after his injury break, and Raul Fernandez showing a steep progress curve in the first half of the season.
