Joerg Teuchert
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FIM and MotoGP promoter Dorna Sports has responded to the tragedy in 2021 and the spotlight on the age (and driving) of Grand Prix entrants by raising the minimum requirement of 16 18 for 2023 and 14 for the ‘Road to MotoGP’ programs such as the British Talent Cup, JuniorGP and Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup.
Moto3 will fix motorsport fans for better or worse, but there’s little doubt about the total commitment of the riders. “There are times when it’s pretty scary, when a runner almost knocks you down on the straight, but that’s normally not that bad,” Ogden tells us, evenly.
“On the bike, I’m totally aware of everything that’s going on, and it’s quite funny because off the track, I’m one of the clumsiest people,” he smiles. “On the bike you can’t be like that. Again, it’s hard to explain, but if you grow up riding a bike, almost every day, it becomes so natural.
Ogden knows his first home Grand Prix will be a blurry stage. VisionTrack Hondas, under the guidance of former GP racer and now nuanced BT Sport presenter Michael Laverty, have become a mainstay in a division that offers some of the most entertaining yet anxious action of any MotoGP device, but John McPhee, Josh Whatley, Sam Lowes, Jake Dixon and wildcard BSB rider Rory Skinner are other local Moto3 and Moto2 hopefuls who will race the boundaries of Silverstone.
Danny Kent was the last British rider to win at Silverstone in 2015. That feat is too much to ask of Ogden even though the Moto3 raffle of fate might roll his way. “It’s a track where I hope everything goes as planned. A podium there… wow,” he said.
“It will be hectic because everyone will be excited for the new team, but I have ridden well there in the past and a lot of new guys in Moto3 won’t know the track very well. It will be a good time for us. all. As a young Brit, you have to keep working and improving. I want a lot more.
