MotoGP Austin: ‘I’ve got the pace to be at the front, it’s coming!’ - Ogden

VisionTrack’s Scott Ogden enjoyed a stellar weekend in the United States having claimed both his best qualifying and race result in Moto3.

While just four races in to his World Championship career, Ogden has scored points in both races finished, and secured his place in Q2 twice. Saturday’s 12th place saw him line up for the AmericasGP on the fourth row come race day and firmly in the mix, with more experienced talents Tatsuki Suzuki, Sergio Garcia and Carlos Tatay behind.

Early race tussles demoted the 18-year-old down to 17th twice, before the Brit regrouped to find his rhythm on the Honda. Running 14th at mid-race distance he ultimately met the flag in 12th, for four championship points and his best result to date ahead of the welcomed return to Europe.

“The race was a good race today,” Ogden told Bikesportnews.com from Austin on Sunday night. “Warm up was really strong and I felt confident going into the race, but the first few laps, I sort of got hit twice on the first lap and it pushed me really far down and then I got a bit agitated. I just tried to settle down and get in a rhythm and in the end, I got in a really good rhythm. I felt really strong!

“I’ve got the pace to be at the front,” he confirmed confidently. “I just need to sort out the first few laps but yeah, I’m happy.

“It’s coming! I caught Suzuki by a long way so we’ve got the pace.

“Overall, a positive finish and I’m ready for Portimao and Jerez where I’ve done so many laps around!”

“I’m really chuffed with the weekend,” Team boss Taylor Mackenzie added. “That was obviously Scott’s best qualifying of the season yesterday in 12th. He was a bit unlucky on the first lap, got beaten up a little bit and then someone clipped his fairing which was unfortunate