Ai Ogura Emerges as the Top Points Scorer in European Races This Season
Japanese rider Ai Ogura has established himself as the most consistent points accumulator in MotoGP since the European leg of the 2026 season began in April.
Demonstrating remarkable progress in just his second year in the premier class, Ogura has amassed an impressive 157 points across the last eight European rounds, averaging 19.6 points per race weekend.
Ogura’s early season showed promise with an improved Aprilia machine, enabling him to overcome the difficulties that plagued him in 2025. While some teammates from Noale faltered, Ogura’s consistency stood out, particularly after resolving his one-lap pace issues at the Czech . This breakthrough has elevated him to a regular front-row contender, complementing his well-known strong race-end pace. Riding for Trackhouse , Ogura now firmly positions himself as a serious title contender, challenging far more experienced rivals.
Currently second in the overall standings, Ogura trails only Jorge Martín’s official Aprilia, who leads the . Marc Márquez, despite missing two rounds due to surgery and recovering from an October crash in Indonesia, ranks third with 145 points. Márquez’s post-operation resurgence has been spectacular, securing three wins in the last four grands prix and accumulating 119 points since his return at Mugello, outpacing Ogura’s 102 points in the same period.
Fabio di Giannantonio, riding for VR46, occupies fourth place with 134 points, bolstered by his victory at the Catalan GP. However, a rare mistake at Sachsenring after adopting the Márquez brothers’ aerodynamic setup tempered his momentum. Jorge Martín’s campaign, although leading the , has been inconsistent, marked by high peaks and frustrating dips, with only Le Mans and Mugello standing out as strong performances following a difficult weekend in Barcelona.
Raúl Fernández and Francesco Bagnaia have recorded similar points tallies-119 and 118 respectively-but have been hampered by a mix of illness and technical issues, limiting their ability to maximize their motorcycles’ potential. by comparison, has seen a dramatic decline after a dominant Mugello victory, failing to score in the last four Sunday races and collecting just 13 points in recent sprints.
The European races have been pivotal in balancing the championship battle, with Ducati and Aprilia trading dominance based on circuit characteristics. Four more European rounds remain before the season shifts to the Asia-Pacific for five overseas events, culminating with back-to-back races in Portugal and Valencia in November.
Ogura’s commanding performance since the European season’s start solidifies his status as the rider to watch, with his blend of qualifying improvements and race pace positioning him as a formidable challenger in the 2026 MotoGP title race.