Ogden: Surreal knowing I’ll be sharing the track with MotoGP riders

On the brink of his first ever Moto3 World Championship appearance, Scott Ogden gives his thoughts ahead of the 2022 season opener in Qatar.

Ogden, who steps up to Moto3 as part of the new Vision Track Racing Team which is owned by former racer Michael Laverty and managed by Taylor Mackenzie, will form half of an all-British line-up alongside fellow series rookie Joshua Whatley. 

After competing in the 2021 FIM CEV Repsol Junior Moto3 World Championship - the highlight of his season being victory in race one at Jerez - Ogden will experience more than half the calendar’s new circuits for the first time, including this weekend’s race in Lusail. 

Nevertheless, Ogden is aiming to get up to speed relatively quickly and challenge for top ten results in the races at least.

Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s FP1 session, Ogden added: "I’m hoping we can be inside the top ten in the races. Qualifying is another thing altogether and a lot of it will be in the timing, when you head out on track and who’s around you.

"We’ve also done our testing using an older engine with mileage on it. For Qatar we’ll have a new engine so that might give us a bit more speed.

"Like a lot of the circuits, I’ve not been to them before but if you haven’t learnt the circuit by the end of FP2 on Friday then you’re probably never going to."

Along with experiencing various new circuits, a new paddock and new type of pressure, Ogden will also be riding alongside the best and most established two wheel racers in the world. 

Sharing the track with the likes of eight-time world champion Marc Marquez, Ducati rider Francesco Bagnaia, current premier class champion Fabio Quartararo and many more, is a ‘surreal’ feeling said the 18 year-old.

"I’m excited of course! I already feel part of the whole MotoGP scene. Testing has been nice but there’s nothing like racing to see where we’re at compared to the others," Ogden continued.

"I’ve not been nervous so far because nobody’s really been watching. That might change a bit when we get to Qatar when the cameras start rolling.

"It’ll feel a bit surreal knowing we’re sharing the track with the MotoGP teams and riders but I’m proud as well – ten years ago Moto3 seemed so far away but hopefully this can be a good example to youngsters in the UK that if you put in the work and apply yourself then good things can happen."