Switching from Moto3, opening round full of uncertainty and hope

2020 Moto2 champion Enea Bastianini moved on to the premier class. The opening round of a season without a defending champion kicked off in Qatar. Although Ogura showed promise in the practice sessions, a fall had destined him to start 19th on the grid. He gained two spots in the race to finish 17th. Chantra started 16th and had moved up to tenth, but a fall on the last lap ended his race.

In Round 2, Ogura had better luck. Starting sixth on the grid, the Japanese rider kept up with the leading group, and in his second Moto2 race finished fifth. Chantra started further back on the grid in 23rd, and despite trying to finish within the points, was 19th at the end. Although both riders crashed in Round 3, Portugal, Ogura was seventh in the following Spanish round.

Getting the hang, taking his first podium

In Round 6, Italy, Ogura finished sixth, his third consecutive top ten result. After another sixth in Round 9, and fifth in the Styrian GP that followed, the Japanese rider qualified second to start on the Austrian front row, and take his first podium finish. Chantra also steadily accumulated championship points by finishing ninth at the team’s home race in Catalunya, eighth in Round 10, and fifth, a personal best, in Round 11.

Ogura aimed for another podium in Round 12, qualifying in 14th place for the British race. He was able to race at a qualifying pace, gaining positions to finish ninth. In Round 13, Ogura was up to third place at one point, but crossed the finish line in eighth. Round 14, the San Marino GP, was held at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli, a track where he had finished third in the Moto3 class in 2020. Despite having difficulties due to unstable weather conditions in qualifying, Ogura rode a solid race to finish seventh.

Injury and missing races at closing stages

Despite his first attempt at Round 15, the Grand Prix of the Americas, Ogura rode a consistent race to finish seventh. Chantra, who had crashed and retired in rounds 13 and 14 also gained championship points by finishing 14th. Round 16 returned to Misano. Ogura fell during Qualifying, and despite starting from 18th grid, moved his way through the traffic to finish ninth.

With two rounds remaining, Ogura was eighth overall and Chantra was 17th. Although aiming for podiums and points in Round 17, the Algarve GP, both riders were out of luck, crashing and retiring. Ogura had hurt his left leg, forcing him to sit out the final round. Chantra was determined to do better in the season-finale in Valencia.

The first Valencia qualifying session, FP1 was held in wet conditions. Chantra overcame a fall to finish 13th. In a contrastingly dry FP2, Chantra fought through a session where 21 riders were within a second of each other, resulting in a 19th place grid position. Despite his best efforts, Chantra could not find his way through the traffic, crossing the finish line in 19th place.

The 2021 Moto2 season was won by Red Bull KTM Ajo’s Remy Gardner. For IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia, Ogura was eighth, and Chantra was 17th.

Race Report

Rd.01 Qatar GP Unrewarded weekend for the IDEMITSU Honda Team Asia riders

Rd.02 Doha GP Rookie Ogura’s stunning fifth place!

Rd.03 Portugal GP Ogura and Chantra tangle during promising Moto2 race

Rd.04 Spain GP Rookie Ogura in the Moto2 mix at Jerez

Rd.05 France GP Both Honda Team Asia Riders Score Points

Rd.06 Italia GP Ogura Takes Superb Sixth Place At Mugello

Rd.07 Catalunya GP Ogura Battles For Sixth Before Fall, Chantra Finishes Ninth

Rd.08 German GP Ogura Robbed By Last-Lap Crash

Rd.09 Dutch GP Rookie Ogura’s Best Moto2 Ride So Far

Rd.10 Styria GP Ogura Battles for Podium and Rides Fastest Lap

Rd.11 Austrian GP Honda Team Asia Joy For Ogura And Chantra

Rd.12 British GP Ogura impresses in Silverstone Moto2 Debut

Rd.13 Aragon GP Rookie Ogura Achieves Ninth Moto2 Top Ten

Rd.14 San Marino GP Rookie Ogura Takes Superb Seventh At Misano

Rd.15 Americas GP Fast Learning Ogura Secures Another Top Ten

Rd.16 Emilia Romagna GP Ogura Fights Like A Lion, From 19th To Ninth

Rd.17 Algarve GP Rookie Ogura Makes Rare Mistake As Gardner Wins Again

Rd.18 Valenciana GP Gardner Wins Moto2 World Title, Chantra Takes 19th