Ai Ogura Disqualified from MotoGP Argentina Race After Eighth Place Finish
Ai Ogura finished eighth in the MotoGP race in Argentina but was disqualified due to non-compliant electronic equipment. His disqualification allowed competitors to move up in standings while he remained the top Aprilia rider despite losing points. Johann Zarco moved to fifth place overall, benefitting from the reshuffled rankings.
On Day 3 of the MotoGP event in Argentina, Ai Ogura initially finished in eighth place, marking his second consecutive entry into the top 10. However, his celebration was short-lived as he was disqualified shortly after the race for using non-compliant electronic equipment.
After completing an impressive comeback at Termas de Rio Hondo, Ogura was pleased to secure points with Trackhouse Racing. He was the only Aprilia rider to score points this weekend, particularly notable after the withdrawal of Lorenzo Savadori and Marco Bezzecchi’s crash during the race.
Despite his strong finish, race management deemed his electronic equipment unsuitable, leading to his disqualification. The official announcement stated, “Ogura crossed the finish line in 8th position and was disqualified from the Grand Prix for using a software version not approved by the championship.”
As a consequence of Ogura’s disqualification, all riders who finished behind him moved up one position. His teammate, Raul Fernandez, ended just outside the points but received a point for finishing fifteenth. Consequently, Luca Marini also gained a position in the top 10, contributing to Honda’s representation as the second most prevalent brand in the Argentine Grand Prix.
In the championship standings, Johann Zarco leveraged his victory to surpass Ogura, now claiming fifth place overall. Similarly, Fabio Di Giannantonio and Brad Binder also benefited from a reshuffled leaderboard.
Ogura, who did not score any points in the Sprint, ended the race weekend with the same points tally he had accrued at the conclusion of the Thailand Grand Prix. While he has dropped to eighth in the rankings, he remains the top Aprilia rider, holding a three-point lead over Marco Bezzecchi.
Ai Ogura’s disqualification from the MotoGP race in Argentina highlights the stringent regulations surrounding racing equipment. Despite his initial eighth-place finish, Ogura’s penalty shifted his position in both the race and the overall championship standings. As the best Aprilia rider, he continues to navigate the competitive landscape, now closely contesting for points against his peers.
Original Source: paddock-gp.com
