Scott Ogden opens up to Palmen in Motorradsport

After three years where he scored points every now and then and was one of the most inconsistent riders on the field, Scott Ogden is showing a good improvement in 2025, as he moved from MLav Racing to CIP Green Power Team and from Honda to KTM.

Born in 2003, Ogden was the British Talent Cup winner in 2019, won one race in Moto3 Junior World Championship in 2021 and then showed glimpses of speed from 2022 until 2024 in the Moto3 World Championship. Isolated events that, however, were rarely followed by concrete results, as he often struggled in races and experienced lack of confidence and several crashes. In 2025, however, Ogden has become way more consistent following a change of team and manufacturer: to the date this interview is published, the Brit currently has 45 points, way more than his scores at the end of each previous season, and also achieved a remarkable pole position at Sachsenring and more front row starts. Something is still missing to be regularly in the front group (his best result to date is 7th at Assen), but Ogden and his team are working to make an additional step ahead of 2026, as the pair is expected to cooperate for one more season.

Palmen in Motorradsport had the chance to interview Scott Ogden at the Czech GP at Brno, to talk about this season and a bit more about himself and his career so far.

Scott, how is 2025 going for you?

At the moment, it’s going well. It’s a new bike and a new team for me after three years with the same one. At the start of the year, we were already really fast, but the results didn’t come as easily. We kept working with the team, and they’ve helped me improve a lot in many areas. Now we’re starting to see the benefits. I’m consistently near the front, and while the race results haven’t quite shown it yet, in the other sessions I think we’re showing our true speed. Overall, it’s been a year of learning and improving ourselves.

This year you have also celebrated a milestone for you: your first pole position in the world championship, at Sachsenring. How did it feel?

It was a shame that it was wet, because I feel like I could have done it in the dry too, and a dry pole means a little bit more. However, it was a big step for me to start a race from the front. It was special because it was the first time I’d led a Moto3 race. It was also great for the team, because they had not been at the front for long time and they put in a lot of work to get there. Now we need to improve our performance in the race and fight for wins as well.

What has changed for you this year, compared to the previous seasons? What was missing from 2022 to 2024?

I felt quite alone the last few years. It was difficult for me to improve on my own. I showed good speed now and then and managed some strong qualifying results, but mentally it was really tough. I struggled a lot with motivation and just trying to enjoy again. Since joining CIP, I’ve found more enjoyment. I’ve got a great group of people around me who want me to succeed, which is really important. They’re helping me understand where I need to improve both on and off the bike. We’re growing together, and that means a lot. It’s important to have people around who appreciate you, and that’s the big difference from the previous years.  

What are the main areas you are focusing on to become an even better rider and person?

At the moment, I think my overall speed is among the best in the class, but we still need to improve a bit in race situations. I need to work on my shifting to get better engine braking, which helps when overtaking. They’re also helping me off the track to stay calmer. I haven’t always had the most self-confidence, and they’re helping me with that too, because self-belief is so important in this sport. When I get on the bike, it helps to know that I can do a good job instead of just hoping it’s a good day. Overall, they’re helping me in small ways. We’re not far off, but it’s about making those little steps to reach the next level.

As a rider who achieved important results before reaching the Moto3 World Championship, how did you handle those moments when you were giving your best, but the results weren’t coming?

It was frustrating over the last few years, especially seeing riders I used to beat in junior categories doing a great job in the Moto2 World Championship (like David Alonso and Diogo Moreira, ed). That was tough, but I kept believing. Having CIP approach me at the end of last year and give me an opportunity helped me believe again. It wasn’t easy, but I tried to keep my head above water and not sink completely.

What have been the lowest and highest moments of your GP career so far?

The lowest moment was probably Australia 2023, when the bike stopped on the first lap of every single practice session. I couldn’t qualify because I didn’t complete a single timed lap all weekend. It was really hard, being on the other side of the world and not being able to ride. The highest moment was probably qualifying third at Mugello this year on the dry. It wasn’t pole, but it was the first real sign that I could fight at the front. That was a big high, which I hope to beat soon.

Now, let’s go back to the beginning of your career. Where does your passion for motorcycle racing come from?

My dad was a road racer who competed at the Isle of Man TT. I had my first bike, a Yamaha PW50, when I was three years old. I did motocross until I was twelve, then switched to tarmac racing and started on minibikes.

Shall we summarize a bit your path until today?

After minibikes, I moved to Moto3 and entered the British Talent Cup, which I won in 2019. That gave me the chance to race in the Junior World Championship. I spent a year with the Junior Talent Team, then a year with Aspar, and later three years with MLav in the World Championship. I haven’t spent as long on road bikes as some of the riders I compete against, but I feel experienced now after a few years in the class. I’ve faced a lot of different situations, which helps me deal with tough times.

Can you remind us how the 2019 British Talent Cup season went. How did it feel?

It was a good season. At the start, I was on the podium in every race. However, it wasn’t easy, because I made some silly mistakes and crashed in qualifying, which meant I had to start last twice. In the second-to-last race, when I was close to wrapping up the championship, I had a bike issue and finished ninth. The final race was a straight fight: whoever finished ahead would win the title.

It was a lot of pressure, but once I got on the bike, I managed it well. I didn’t win the race, but I finished second, which was enough for the championship.

It was a turning point, because my family doesn’t have much money. They’ve always worked hard to support my racing, but without that title, going to the Junior or World Championship would have been impossible. I owe everything to them, and winning that race definitely changed my life.

You went on to race in the JuniorGP and the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies Cup. How were those seasons?

The Red Bull Rookies Cup was a bit more complicated. I wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t my best year. There were a lot of strong riders, like Pedro Acosta and Izan Guevara, and many fast Spanish riders. In the Junior World Championship, I had one year with the Junior Talent Team, which went well, and then a year with Aspar, and with them I won a race, got a podium and finished sixth in the championship, racing against riders who are now close to MotoGP. It was tough moving from the UK to Spain, because the racing style is different, but I improved a lot and finished the season near the front.

Then you joined the MotoGP paddock, with a clear goal on your mind.

I definitely want to make it to MotoGP. My plan is to stay another year in Moto3, aim for more top results, and then hopefully move to Moto2 in the next couple of years. At the end of the day, results are what matter most. We’re doing a good job and I just need to keep delivering.

You previously mentioned your father raced at the Tourist Trophy. Would you ever consider doing that in the future?

No, my parents wouldn’t let me. My dad saw many of his friends get seriously hurt, so it’s not something I’d want to do. They get paid well, but I don’t think that money has the same value as my life.

So, you would prefer other opportunities, in case it didn't work out in the MotoGP paddock.

Yes, but much later. I hope that’s far in the future. I always say to myself that I want to stay here until I’m at least 35, and then maybe do a season in BSB at the end of my career. But plans rarely go smoothly in this sport, so I just try to focus day by day and do the best I can.

What’s your favourite track on the MotoGP calendar, and which one in BSB?

Honestly, my favourite track changes every week. I arrive on Wednesday and tell the team “This one’s my favourite,” just to give everyone some motivation that it’s going to be a good weekend. But if I had to choose, I really like Silverstone, and Sachsenring too, which suits my style with all the fast corners. So, Silverstone and Sachsenring in GPs. In BSB, my local track is Cadwell Park, which is a cool one, but if I go by results, I’d say Brands Hatch. because I won my first road race there and then my first BSB race too. So, Brands Hatch is probably the track where I’ve gone best in England.

You’ve ridden at Cadwell Park quite a bit, I guess?

Yes, a lot. When I first switched to road racing, that’s where I rode, and during my three years in BSB, I raced there every season. It’s a fun track, quite unique, and I was even jumping at the Mountain, even if it was on a standard Moto3 bike and didn’t fly as far as the Superbikes. It’s not ideal for the bike, but it’s good fun.

Outside of motorcycle racing, what are your main hobbies and passions?

Honestly, I’m quite a "boring" person. I enjoy training, and most of my hobbies revolve around that. My big passion is cycling. I love the Tour de France and cycling in general: I watch all the races. Actually, I enjoy most sports. I might not have the typical kind of fun that other people do, but for me, going out on the bike is what I love. Training is what I enjoy most. 

Do you watch other sports besides motorcycle racing and cycling?

I also watch tennis. Football, on the other hand, is something I only watch sometimes. But I enjoy all motorsports: MotoGP, motocross, World Superbikes, BSB, even Motoamerica sometimes. Really, I’ll watch any sport that’s on TV.

As a rider and as a person, what would you say are your main strengths and weaknesses?

My biggest weakness, both as a rider and as a person, is self-confidence. It really lets me down on some days, and I struggle with it a lot. My biggest strength as a rider is that I’m pretty fearless, which helps for instance in fast corners. You don’t need much technique there: you just have to open the throttle. And that suits me. As a person, it’s harder to say...Maybe my athleticism! I think I’m quite athletic, but I struggle in some situations because as athletes we often think only about ourselves: our training, what’s best for our performance...That can make things difficult sometimes.

Who inspires you the most, in MotoGP or in other sports?

For the past six or seven years, my biggest inspiration has been Tadej Pogačar from cycling. He truly loves racing. He doesn’t do it for anyone else: he does it for himself and for the love of the sport. I really admire that. I met him last year and he’s a great guy. In MotoGP, my favourite rider is Álex Márquez, but in terms of inspiration, it’s his brother Marc. Coming back from the injuries he’s had is incredibly difficult, both physically and mentally, and to keep getting back on the bike after all that is inspiring.

Finally, Scott, who would you like to thank for everything you have been able to experience as a rider?

First and foremost, my parents. They’re the reason I’m here. Also, I want to thank Carrie and Matthew (Ruisbroek, former motorcycle racer, ed), because they are the family I live with in Spain and they’re a big part of my journey too. Thanks also to all my sponsors and my team, because it feels like a family. They’re the reason I’m achieving these results.

Palmen in Motorradsport thanks Scott Ogden for his time and Alicia Churin (CIP Green Power Team Coordinator) for making the interview possible. Best wishes to both the rider and the team for the upcoming races and seasons.