MotoGP Spielberg: Ogura makes a comeback, Nakagami replaces Mir

– At the Austrian Grand Prix next weekend in Spielberg, two Japanese riders will be on the grid. Ai Ogura is making a comeback after missing two race weekends.

The Japanese rider broke the thumb of his left hand during motocross training in Japan over the summer break and had to undergo surgery. That is why Ogura could not participate in the races at MotorLand Aragon and Misano.

Now the Trackhouse-Aprilia team announced that Ogura will travel to Austria. On Thursday, he still has to pass the medical check by MotoGP doctor Dr. Angel Charte, who will give him clearance.

“I feel good,” Ogura says ahead of the race. “I think the situation with my hand is better than I expected a week ago. I am definitely looking forward to coming back.”

“I just want to start the weekend and see how much we can achieve and where we stand. Nothing special. I just want to have a normal weekend.”

Due to the two missed race weekends, Ogura dropped back to sixth place in the world championship standings. His deficit to the top grew to 71 points. Thus, he is no longer in the title fight.

Nakagami replaces Mir in the Honda factory team

If Ogura gets the green light from Charte, then two Japanese riders will be present in Spielberg. The Honda factory team announced on Wednesday that Takaaki Nakagami will replace Joan Mir.

Nakagami tested the new Honda RC214V with 850 cubic centimeters displacement for two days this week in Mugello. He will also participate in the official 850cc test on the Monday after the race in Spielberg.

Mir struggled with physical problems last weekend in Misano. After the sprint, the Spaniard said he had “absolutely no energy and strength.”

For this reason, Mir had to retire to the pits after five laps in the Grand Prix. He traveled immediately after the race from Italy to Spain to undergo examinations in Barcelona.

These showed altered blood values that require further clarification and additional tests. Since there is no clear diagnosis yet, the medical team has recommended that Mir take a break in Spielberg.

This way, the 29-year-old can recover on the one hand, and on the other hand, further tests and examinations can be carried out to determine the cause of the weakness symptoms.

Jorge Martin: Examinations due to arm pump in Barcelona

There is also a question mark over Jorge Martin. Recently in Misano, the Aprilia rider suffered from arm pump, which prevented him from fighting for the win with Marc Marquez and caused him to fall back to fifth place.

On this Wednesday, Martin has examinations in Barcelona. Afterwards, he will travel to Austria. The Spielberg weekend will show whether he will have to undergo surgery on his forearm afterwards.

“Misano did not go quite as we expected,” Martin says. “Nevertheless, we will focus on the positive aspects because in the long race I had a good feeling, a good pace.”

“I rode the way I like – until I started to feel my forearm cramping. After Austria, we will evaluate how to address this physical problem. We will look at possible solutions.”

“Aprilia continues to do outstanding work to help me find the right feeling and go into the weekend with as few doubts as possible. Now we have to focus on Austria, a track I like.”

Before Spielberg, Martin leads the world championship standings tied on points with Marc Marquez. However, Martin is listed as second in the championship because he has only won one Grand Prix this season, while Marquez has won five times.