Year: 2016

The Portuguese pilot Miguel Oliveira started the first day of trainings of the last official IRTA tests before the beginning of the World Moto GP Championship. The rider improved his time per lap during the day in the Losail circuit, Qatar, and the outcome for him was very positive.

The fastest lap happened during the second session with 2m02,342s: “Today started very well, we began with some setting challenges that pleased me a lot during the rest of the day and I was able to develop.” Started by explaining the Almada rider.

“At the third return to the track I was expecting to get better but then one engine problem occurred that we’re still analyzing. I hope tomorrow I can continue today’s good work and that I can focus on my riding style.” He ended.

The trainings restart tomorrow and the first race of the World Moto GP Championship is scheluded to 20th March.

After three days in Jerez de La Frontera to test his Kalex, Miguel Oliveira highlights the learning process and moral recovery, assuming a positive development.

"Today the goal was to restore momentum after a yesterday particularly difficult day, and making a retrospective of these three days I think the feedback is very positive." Begins by highlighting the young vice-world champion. "On the second day we focused our attention on a less suitable option and after the fall I lost some confidence, however, the negative side of these tests should be looked in a positive way:.Now we know what we have to do the on the next test assuming that the path chosen this time regarding the bike 'setting' did not work and realizing what sould be done to Qatar; To. find a good feeling on a completely different track as soon as possible " Finishes the young Portuguese rider from Leopard Racing.

Miguel Oliveira is now returning to Portugal before the departure for the last official test in Qatar, prior to the official start of the season on March 20th.

Today was another day of work for Miguel Oliveira in Jerez de La Frontera. The second day of IRTA official tests was important for the Portuguese rider from Leopard Racing to continue the line of work developed despite some setbacks, including a fall in the second session of the day and some pain in the fractured fingers.

"Today was a little bit weird for me, having started with a bike a little different from what we tested yesterday, with a completely different setting. We were looking for some stability to be able to go faster in the curve, but we did not found it. Physically, today my hand gave me a bit of trouble and then a fall at the end of the second session did not allowed us to go back on track in third (session). "Begins by explaining the runner-up.

"We are now considering a few things with the team, with the suspensions technical staff and see what can be improved. In terms of driving, we have also analyzed in telemetry what I need to do. So all of this is part of a normal process. We knew that it was not going to be easy and these three days are in fact to learn. "

As for the physical condition, Miguel Oliveira explains that despite feeling more pain than yesterday, he will give the maximum effort tomorrow with the constraints he has. Tomorrow will be the last day of official tests and the first session is scheduled for 09.00 AM Lisbon time.

Lisbon, March 2nd, 2016 – Miguel Oliveira completed the first day of IRTA official training in the Andalusian circuit of Jerez La Frontera with a positive outcome and an increase of more than one second throughout the day. With his Kalex and with a splint on the finger, the young rider from Almada ended the first day quite satisfied and with important developments during the work day.

"It was a return a little bit troubled because of the discomfort that I still have from the fractured fingers, especially the fourth finger, which affects me a little especially in direction changes. It was an adaptation day. " starts by explaining Miguel Oliveira. "We changed some settings and we will continue to work on tomorrow. There is work to do but we have three days with very good conditions and we will try to enjoy them to the fullest. " Explained the vice-world champion that tomorrow wants to" continue to improve. "

"For me it will be important to continue to ride. My goal is to be prepared for the first race in Qatar, and I have to continue to recover and to evolve more and more." he finishes.

The second day of practice is scheduled for tomorrow and to start by 1:00 PM and the expected weather conditions are very favorable.

Miguel Oliveira will perform tomorrow in the IRTA official tests at Jerez de La Frontera, when are just few days left to the start of a new chapter in the sporting life of the 2015 world runner-up in Moto3.The young Portuguese that will align for Leopard Racing in Moto2 this season, aims with these tests to continue to evolve and evaluate how he feels after the fracture in what will also be the team's debut year in this category. It should be recalled that the pilot from Almada fractured two fingers in the last test at this circuit and opted for a non-surgery treatment in order to be present in these first official IRTA tests.

"A top priority of this test will be to see in what sense causes me discomfort in the fractured finger. Another will be to fine-tune the bike in order to make it work well at this circuit. I believe that a good work here will be a good basis for the entire season. " Began by noting Miguel Oliveira. "The fact that are present the great majority of the grid pilots will be an advantage to assess my personal and my team´s condition" finishes.

There are scheduled three Moto2 free practices for tomorrow by 9:00 a.m., 11:40 and 14:20.

At the presentation event of Leopard Racing in Gallano, Italy, Miguel Oliveira explained how he feels comfortable with the new team and confident to face the new season on board of his Kalex. The event was shared through the rider´s new official website by livestreaming for all fans and friends. Something clearly important for the Portuguese pilot. The new official website Miguel Oliveira was developed by Brandit, the same company that developed the website for the Portuguese footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

During the press conference, Miguel Oliveira, stressed the importance of joining forces with his former adversary: ​​"For me it is extremely positive to have Danny beside me because he is a high level pilot, and I think that being in the same team will be beneficial to both, pulling each other and allowing me to be faster when he is faster than me and vice versa. It is very good to have such a strong team of pilots, and a technical team I trust fully, expecting with this a great season! "Finishes off the Portuguese.

The team managers Miodrag Kotur and Stefen Kiefer will lead the team under the purview of the technical supervision of Christian Lundberg. Technical team reinforced the intention of Leopard Racing sitting in the front row in the competition, in his debut in Moto2, which will begin on March 20 in Qatar.

Regarding the new website according to Miguel Oliveira, the new website meets the demand of vast majority of fans and interested of this sport are looking for when they access his official channels, "Over time I have tried to respond to the needs of my fans and supporters, so I searched for the best service.Brandit is undoubtedly the leading company in national and international web market, and the proof is Cristiano Ronaldo. I think the format in which we decided to proceed, it is quite attractive and will undoubtedly engage with all those who support me unconditionally "explains.

After the crash on the entrance to the Angel Nieto curve, in the circuit of Jerez de La Frontera, which spelled the end of the last day of pre-season private practice and a fracture in the 4th and 5th finger of the right hand, Miguel Oliveira discussed with his personal physician and an expert, Dr. Gonçalo Morais Sarmento, the severity of the injury suffered and chose not to conduct any surgery.

As had been diagnosed initially in the premises of the medical center of the Andalusian circuit, the pilot from Almada (Portugal) fractured the 4th and 5th right finger after a fall in private testing of Leopard Racing. Despite the most appropriate recovery demands a surgical intervention, the driver considers that at this point it should not be performed, explains:

"I pondered the surgery but I'm not willing to do it for now. The issue is the loss of mobility of the fingertip, especially in extension, so I do not consider it serious. I think it is not something that can harm me in the future when you have to perform dentistry or to ride the bike, therefore I´m calm. I have been preparing physically to be fit for this new challenge and I will not let this little setback stop me." Said the pilot when leaving the appointment with the specialist physician.

The IRTA official tests are scheduled for the first days of March in the Andalusia circuit and the Portuguese driver will be present.

After the private sessions of the pre-season preparation for the MotoGP World Championship, the Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira ended the last of three testing sessions with a positive outcome, claiming to be confident with the team and their way of work. He also stated to be feeling increasingly good with his Kalex Honda. After Barcelona, Valencia (where he run very close to the circuit’ record) and Jerez de La Frontera, the rider ended this testing tour satisfied with the progress and work made. Nevertheless, the last workout in the Andalusian track promoted by Leopard Racing was reduced from two to one day due to weather conditions and one crash that lead to a small fracture in the 4th finger of the right hand of the Almada rider. Despite being a small fracture, the Portuguese young rider will check with his doctor if it will be necessary to undergo surgery in order to have a quickest recovery, on time for the official IRTA tests in Jerez de La Frontera (2-4 March).

"Today's conditions were not the best; it was hard to be on track and I wasn’t able to do a lot of laps. Unfortunately, I also ended the test earlier because of one crash where I fractured the fourth finger of my right hand. It was a hard day but I’m back very satisfied with all the achievements we’re able to do. I’m feeling more comfortable every day with the bike and integrated in the way of work with the team. Those days allow me to know better my work team and, of course, to adapt my rider style to this new category. Now I’m going to analyze my situation with my doctor and we’re going to see if surgery will be needed in order to recover on time for the official IRTA tests”, explains the Portuguese.

The Portuguese rider finishes this round of three tests very happy and focused on a quick recovery in order to continue the "learning curve". The next tests are scheduled for 2nd, 3rd  and 4th of March in Jerez de La Frontera, with the Championship scheduled to start in Qatar on the 20th of March.