Trackhouse rider Ai Ogura has been struggling with injury in recent weeks, which could put him in doubt for the Grand Prix of Italy this weekend.
The Japanese rider has impressed since joining the MotoGP grid this season, finishing in the points in every race besides the Argentine Grand Prix, where he was disqualified for running with a non-homologated ECU software.
The 24-year-old has caught the attention of the rest of the paddock, with Davide Brivio stating Ogura will have options for 2027. He has shown encouraging signs for Aprilia’s satellite team, but Ogura will not replace Jorge Martin as he is contracted to Trackhouse for 2026.
At the British Grand Prix, Ogura suffered a tibia fracture during practice, forcing him to withdraw from the race. He underwent successful keyhole surgery to repair the fracture, but he was deemed unfit to race at the next round at Aragon.
Ogura is eyeing a return to the grid at the Italian Grand Prix, but he must receive the all clear from the doctors after a further check-up. Unable to replace him at Aragon, Trackhouse have a replacement lined up if the Japanese rider cannot compete in Mugello.
Trackhouse have Danilo Petrucci lined up to replace Ai Ogura if he cannot compete at the Italian Grand Prix
Having been limited to one rider for the past two Grand Prix with Raul Fernandez, Trackhouse will have two bikes on the grid at Mugello. In a report from Motorsport Italia, Brivio is ‘aware that the regulations oblige them to field a replacement rider in case Ogura is unable to compete’.
Therefore, the Trackhouse boss has contacted former Ducati MotoGP rider Danilo Petrucci to stand in for Ogura if he is deemed unfit to race at the Italian GP. The 34-year-old, who currently races for Ducati in World Superbikes, could not test for Trackhouse at Aragon last week for ‘logistical’ reasons.
Trackhouse tested Moto2 championship leader Manu Gonzalez instead, handing him his first outing on a MotoGP bike. But now, Petrucci ‘has already prepared a suit in the colours of the American team’ and has been permitted by WSBK to compete at Mugello if needed.
Should Ogura be forced to withdraw from a third-straight race, Petrucci would be ready to step onto the RS-GP25 for FP1 on Friday.
READ MORE: Everything to know about Ai Ogura from height to career stats
Fabio Di Giannantonio labelled Danilo Petrucci a ‘legend’ after breaking motorcycle Grand Prix record
Beginning his career in MotoGP in 2012 with Ioda, Petrucci moved to satellite Ducati team Pramac in 2014, with whom he spent four years. He went on to race for the factory Ducati outfit, KTM Tech3 and Suzuki.
The Italian rider won two races in the premier class with Ducati before moving on to WSBK in 2023. Petrucci currently sits third in the standings behind Nicolo Bulega and Toprak Razgatlioglu, having won his first three races in the series last season.
By doing so, the 34-year-old became the first rider to win races in MotoGP, WSBK, MotoAmerica and the Dakar Rally. VR46 rider Fabio Di Giannantonio labelled Petrucci a ‘legend’ after achieving the incredible feat.
Diggia said via Crash: “He did amazing! He’s making history, he’s a legend. It’s fantastic that a rider could do this. I think no one else could do an amazing achievement for him and I’m so happy for him.”
