Year: 2018

The Red Bull KTM Ajo Portuguese rider had a somewhat deceptive first day at the Sachsenring on Friday. Placing thirteenth might not serve as a true reflection of Miguel Oliveira's performance or level of comfort in the two practice sessions. A tremendously tight combined timesheet saw the Top 20 riders separated by less than half a second.

Miguel Oliveira showed, right from his first stint in the morning, that the Sachsenring is excellently suited both to his riding and to the characteristics of his KTM bike. The Portuguese rider quickly moved into the Top 5. After a single stop in the pits, Miguel Oliveira continued to lower his times, and his 1:25.331 put him fourth -one tenth off the top spot.

For the afternoon session, the Red Bull KTM Ajo Portuguese rider ran one new set of tyres. Miguel Oliveira clocked his best time for Friday after a red flag with 10 minutes left, finishing thirteenth -1:25.034.

Miguel Oliveira #44

“It's been a positive day. We can look back on this Friday as a good day of Free Practices; we can still improve some aspects of the setup, but we have managed to run a good pace and set a time that isn't too far away from the fastest lap of the day. It's true that our position is a little unfair, because we only missed out on the Top 5 by two tenths, but we will fight to reduce this small gap tomorrow.

Last year this race went pretty well, so we already knew more or less what kind of plan we have to follow with the bike. We will continue working in this direction in order to improve”.

Tomorrow sees qualifying for the German GP take place from 2:10pm Portuguese local time, providing a chance for the Portuguese rider to move further up the order and place high up on the starting grid for Sunday's race.

Results (Combined practice times FP1-FP2)

1. Xavi Vierge (Kalex) 1:24.750

2. Alex Marquez (Kalex) 1:24.775 +0.025

3. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) 1:24.779 +0.029

4. Khairul Idham Pawi (Kalex) 1:24.830 +0.080

5. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 1:24.836 +0.086

13. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:25.034 +0.284

Only 66 thousandths of a second denied Miguel Oliveira the win at the German GP last year. This time around, the Portuguese riders hopes to achieve great results at a favourable track, after struggling at the previous round in Holland. This will be the ninth race of the season and will mark both the halfway mark of the calendar and the start of a two-week summer break.

Resolving the difficulties that prevented him from being among the fastest riders in the last set of Free Practice sessions and Qualifying will be the primary objective of Miguel Oliveira and his crew this weekend, after demonstrating that his performance on raceday is almost exclusively excellent. Starting from the top positions on the starting grid should be key to getting back onto the podium at Sachsenring, where he placed on the rostrum last year. Second in the overall standings, only 16 points behind the leader, a sixth Top 3 finish of the season would round off a very good first half of the year.

Miguel Oliveira #44

“We reach Germany after having worked very hard and we want to continue doing the same thing to solve the difficulties we have had at recent Grands Prix -especially in the practice sessions. Last year we were very competitive at this track, taking second position after fighting for the win until the last moment. I hope that this year we can find ourselves in a similar situation and return to the podium to continue adding points in the overall standings, and finish this first half of the season feeling good”.

This ninth round of the season will follow the usual schedule for European Grands Prix, with the Moto2 race taking place at 11:20am (Portuguese local hour) on Sunday

Circuit information – Sachsenring

Length: 3.671 m / 2.281 miles

Width: 12 metres

Left corners: 10

Right corners: 3

Longest straight: 700 m / 0.435 miles

Constructed: 1996

Modified: 2003

Continuing the trend of recent rounds, Miguel Oliveira put in his best showing of the weekend on raceday at the Dutch GP. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Portuguese rider had some good first laps, which allowed him to move from the sixth row of the grid into the Top 10. Miguel Oliveira managed to maintain a great pace throughout the 24 lap contest and claim important points with his sixth place.

With the straight at Assen the shortest of the year, overtaking is always tricky, but Miguel Oliveira was able to fight his way back from seventeenth place. The Portuguese gained 5 positions on the first sector and caught the Top 10 at the end of the second lap. From there, he moved up to seventh place, a position that he kept for much of the race. A crash for another rider in the final stages allowed him to gain another place.

With his 10 points earned today, Miguel Oliveira continues to have scored points at every round so far in 2018. He remains in second position -with 128 points- and is 16 points off the series leader. 

Miguel Oliveira #44

"It’s been a weekend for learning. We tried to test out many options to solve our problem in qualifying and also to understand how we could go better in the race. I’m not completely disappointed with the result because in the end it was the best we could do today, but I am positive about the future. I know that the team are completely focused on trying to find a good solution for me. We got a good handful of points for the overall standings and now we have to focus on continuing to work on this aspect. In Germany we’ll be going for more".

Results (Race)

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 39:30.436

2. Fabio Quartararo (Speed Up) +1.748

3. Alex Marquez (Kalex) +2.179

4. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) +4.094

5. Joan Mir (Kalex) +4.342

6. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +5.230

Moto2 World Championship Standing 2018

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 144 points

2. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 128 points

3. Alex Marquez (Kalex) 110 points

4. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 93 points

5. Joan Mir (Kalex) 75 points

The Moto2 qualifying session for the Dutch GP was a tough one for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Portuguese roder, as Miguel Oliveira was unable to find a spot high up on the starting grid. The Portuguese repeated his seventeenth place from two weeks ago in Barcelona.

In the final Free Practice session, Miguel Oliveira clocked a 1:38.770 best time, undertaking his first stint with fresh tyres and two further runs with used rubber.

Qualifying repeated the dynamics of the last Grand Prix, where Miguel Oliveira struggled to clock a great fast lap. Althought Miguel Oliveira put in his best time of the entire weekend -1:38.228- on his first stint, this was only enough for seventeenth. 

Miguel Oliveira #44

"It was a qualifying session similar to that of the last few GPs. In Free Practice we are very close to the fastest times and top positions, whilst in QP others improve and we stay in exactly the same place as in practice, either with new or used tyres. However, as always our race pace is good and we know that in normal conditions we are up there.

Tomorrow I will have to win back many positions and try not to get into trouble on the first few laps, in order to be able to progress. It's a shame about the results of recent QPs, because the team are trying everything and we are working very hard, but it is not easy to find a solution. We'll see how the race goes tomorrow, because here at Assen it's hard to overtake. If a group forms then I hope I can be up there".

The 24-lap Dutch GP, the eighth round of the season, takes place tomorrow at 11:20am, Portuguese local time. Miguel Oliveira will try to make a comeback for a third consecutive podium for the Red Bull KTM Ajo, after the victory and podium at Mugello and Barcelona.

Results (Qualifying session)

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 1:37.608

2. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) 1:37.681 +0.073

3. Luca Marini (Kalex) 1:37.689 +0.081

4. Alex Marquez (Kalex) 1:37.717 +0.109

5. Xavi Vierge (Kalex) 1:37.786 +0.160

17. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:38.228 +0.620 

The sun made a welcome appearance for the Moto2 Portuguese rider at the start of the Dutch GP weekend this Friday at Assen. There, Miguel Oliveira had a positive day in which he tried out various things with one eye on tomorrow's qualifying session. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Portuguese rider finished twelfth.

Miguel Oliveira put in as many as 22 laps in FP1. Making just a single stop in the garage, he had enough time to look for an optimal race pace. The Portuguese clocked his 1:38.920 before his first stop -placing thirteenth.

In the afternoon, Miguel Oliveira focused on his setup for qualifying, one of the main objectives of the weekend. This allowed him to set a new personal best lap of 1:38.579 -placing tenth.

Miguel Oliveira #44

“We didn't end up finding the ideal path to follow in practice. We worked with different tyres throughout the day: In the morning we used the harder compound, while in the afternoon we used the softest option. In FP2 we tried to simulate a qualifying situation but we still have to improve more in that respect. However, finishing tenth in the afternoon and 4 tenths off the top is not bad, although we would like to be higher up. We are about to reach the halfway point of the season and it is important to understand which direction to take to continue improving and understanding the bike.

We hope that with the work done today we can improve and start from higher up the grid on Sunday, since my goal is to qualify as well as possible tomorrow. We cannot repeat the qualifying result from the Catalan GP”.

Qualifying takes place tomorrow at 2:05pm. Miguel Oliveira started off from seventeenth a fortnight ago.

Results (Combined practice times FP1-FP2)

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 1:38.091

2. Joan Mir (Kalex) 1:38.191 +0.100

3. Luca Marini (Kalex) 1:38.246 +0.155

4. Fabio Quartararo (Speed Up) 1:38.256 +0.165

5. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 1:38.371 +0.280

12. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:38.579 +0.488

The Moto2 class takes on one of the most legendary tracks on the calendar, Assen, this weekend. A part of the Motorcycle World Championship since 1949, the venue is known as the 'Cathedral' of motorcycle racing, and the trip to the Netherlands is always a special occasion. Miguel Oliveira hopes to provide a great result for Red Bull KTM Ajo this time around.

The Portuguese rider made a great comeback in Barcelona, finishing the race in second position, and he is now just at one point off the series leader. Miguel Oliveira will look for his third consecutive podium, after rostrums at Mugello and Barcelona, at a circuit where he has previously won. Victorious in Moto3 for Red Bull KTM Ajo in 2015 at the Dutch track, he also holds a podium from 2014 and was on pole in 2013, all in Moto3. In the intermediate class, last year's Dutch GP was the first time he had fought for the win with a KTM -a bike new to the grid in 2017.

Miguel Oliveira #44

“We had two very positive results at Mugello and Barcelona, which allowed us to get closer to the lead in the overall standings, but it is still very early days and we have to take things race by race. The idea is to continue in the same way this weekend, although there is an important point to improve, which is qualifying. We can't start from so far back on Sundays because it is a risk that we can ill afford to take. We must improve our work on Fridays and Saturdays to come into Sundays as prepared as possible.

Assen is much narrower and very flowing compared to the most recent tracks that we've been at, but last year went really well for us there on our first time with the KTM. It was there that we fought for the victory for the first time, but in the end we were at the back of the lead group. I hope I can get back on the podium and take as many points as possible for the overall standings”.

The eighth Moto2 race of 2018, which will be held over 24 laps, will start on Sunday, July 1st at 11:20pm Portuguese local time.

Circuit information – TT Circuit Assen

Length: 4.542 m. / 2,822 miles

Width: 14 metres

Left corners: 6

Right corners: 12

Longest straight: 487 m. / 0,303 miles

Constructed: 1955

Modified: 2012

Miguel Oliveira placed second in this Sunday's Catalan GP, and did so with his typical flourish. The winner of the Italian GP a fortnight ago after an amazing comeback, at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit he fought back from seventeenth to place on the podium once more.

The start to the race saw Miguel Oliveira breeze past 10 riders in the opening sector. He then began to put in fast laps, moving into the podium spots by Lap 5. The Portuguese would lead the race for two laps, dropping back to second on Lap 10. He opted not to exceed the limit and came home in second place, aiding his title aspirations. 

Aki Ajo – Team Manager

"It was another impressive race by Miguel [Oliveira]. I have to say that this morning I was a little worried, because our times with new tyres were not at the level we were expecting and the times in the warmup were not good enough either. However, at the key moment Miguel gave everything he had and once again demonstrated his great racing spirit. I want to thank him, the team, KTM, Red Bull and all the partners for making this podium possible.

Miguel Oliveira #44

“It was a very positive race. Here it was important not to lose too many points and, finally, we ended up getting twenty more for the overall standings. I am very happy because we took a good result for the team after a very tough weekend. In qualifying we had some problems with the bike, so now we will try to focus on improving our performance in practice -which will allow us not to start from so far back and have to take so many risks at the beginning of the race. Although we've been doing well up to now, the season is long and we must be consistent, so the team are working to find a solution.

When I crossed the finish line, on the lap of honour, I was waving to the fans and I didn't have my hands on the handlebars. Suddenly, I felt that I'd been hit from behind. Fortunately nobody was hurt. In the end, it's a good second place that is very important for the World Championship”.

After his fifth podium of the season, Miguel Oliveira remains in second place in the overall standings with 118 points. He is just one point off the series leader. The next round will be the Dutch TT on July 1st at Assen.

Results (Race)

1. Fabio Quartararo (Speed Up) 38:22.059

2. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +2.492

3. Alex Marquez (Kalex) +3.485

4. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) +4.398

5. Xavi Vierge (Kalex) +4.687

Moto2 World Championship Standing 2018

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 119 points

2. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 118 points

3. Alex Marquez (Kalex) 94 points

4. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 93 points

5. Xavi Vierge (Kalex) 70 points

Miguel Oliveira got today the seventeenth best time after not feeling totally comfortable on track. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Portuguese rider continued to have his elbow injured after yesterday’s crash on FP2.

The Portuguese rider of 23 years old took some cautious approach after a knock to his elbow in a crash yesterday in FP2,  but was able to lower his best time and finish in fourteenth place -1:44.342.

The 53°C track temperature for qualifying made things challenging for Miguel Oliveira. He would have to modify his setup in order to set his best time, and he did so on his last stint. Miguel Oliveira finished seventeenth -1:44.429.

Miguel Oliveira #44

“Our progress throughout the weekend has not been as positive as we would have liked. Our rivals have greatly improved their times and we have not done so by as large a margin. In qualifying the biggest problem was the lack of grip; the bike didn't turn in much and I had to force things, which caused it to slide out. I'm on Row 6, which isn't great because I'm right in the middle of the grid. I hope tomorrow we can improve our setup and make a good comeback from the beginning. The strategy is to gain places early and then do our best in what will be a tough race for everybody.

Tomorrow the race begins earlier than qualifying, so all the riders will have a little more grip. Physically I don't feel as strong, as I have a bit of pain in my elbow, but I don't think there will be any problems; we'll see how it behaves in the race. Let's see if tomorrow in the warmup we can find the path that allows us to be more competitive; In the race we will fight hard to be up there”.

The Portuguese rider will try to fight for a place on the podium at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit tomorrow -something he has already done before. The 22-lap race will start at 11:20am Portuguese local time.

Results (Qualifying session)

1. Fabio Quartararo (Speed Up) 1:43.474

2. Alex Marquez (Kalex) +0.116

3. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) +0.145

4. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) +0.347

5. Brad Binder (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +0.393

17. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +0.955

On the first day of Catalan GP, the good work that many teams, including Red Bull KTM Ajo, carried out at the end of May in a test, paid off with fast times. The Moto2 field had adapted well to the new asphalt and a new Turn 13 at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit, and the pace was so even that the tenth best time, set by Miguel Oliveira, was just 351 thousandths of a second off the top spot.

The setup worked on in the test allowed the Red Bull KTM Ajo duo to head the timesheets in the opening minutes of the FP1. Miguel Oliveira made just a single stop in the pits after long runs, ending the session with new tyres, in eighth -1:44.576.

The 44°C track temperature provided a new variable for FP2. It meant that very few riders would lower their previous times, and Miguel Oliveira was thousands of a second off doing so. Back among the fastest riders and still inside the Top 10, Miguel Oliveira was fifth -1:44.592-. The Portuguese suffered a crash on the fast Turn 9 with 6 minutes remaining, but escaped unharmed.

Miguel Oliveira #44

“It has been a very good day, I felt very comfortable with the bike at all times. In FP2 the conditions were more difficult but we matched our times, which is very positive. When we put on the new tyre I was pushing hard, and on my first lap I lost the front on a fast corner and unfortunately went down. I hit my right elbow, which has swollen up, but it isn't anything serious and tomorrow we will be able to work like always. We have a good pace; the crash prevented me from looking for our fastest lap, but I am very happy about how the bike is behaving.

Doing the test here three weeks ago has helped, as we have been able to find our way much more easily. Tomorrow we have to continue like that”

Moto2 qualifying takes place tomorrow at 2:05pm Portuguese local time, and Miguel Oliveira will look for a position on the starting grid higher up than at Mugello a fortnight ago

Results (Combined practice times FP1-FP2)

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 1:44.225

2. Alex Marquez (Kalex) +0.115

3. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) +0.115

4. Joan Mir (Kalex) +0.115

5. Augusto Fernandez (Kalex) +0.135

10. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +0.351

The Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit hosts the seventh round of the Moto2 World Championship this weekend, and the Red Bull KTM Ajo Portuguese rider comes into the event in the best possible way after taking his first victory of the season at the Italian GP. Miguel Oliveira will seek to fight for the podium at a modified track where he has already tested at the end of last month.

Miguel Oliveira’s win at Mugello last time out helped him to close the gap to the series leader to just 13 points. This weekend’s venue also holds good memories for the Red Bull KTM Ajo Portuguese rider; it was there that he earned his first Moto3 podium in 2012 with a third place, the same result he achieved there last season in Moto2.

Miguel Oliveira #44

“At Mugello we got a victory for which we had been fighting since the beginning of the season, so it would be very nice to take a second win in Barcelona. An important thing for us would be to take a step forward in the qualifying session, so as not to have to risk so much on Sunday. With the base that we have from the days of testing in Barcelona and Mugello, we are prepared to achieve that. We have already tested with the layout changes, so in theory we will not find anything new here. The asphalt has very good grip and almost no bumps, so it will certainly be a very interesting weekend.”

This season the circuit has undergone a complete resurfacing and a new Turn 13 has been created, which replaces the previous chicane. The seventh Moto2 race of 2018, which will be run over 22 laps, will start on Sunday, June 17th at 11:20am Portuguese local time.

Circuit information – Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit

Length: 4.627 m / 2,875 miles

Width: 12 metres

Left corners: 6

Right corners: 8

Longest straight: 1.047 m / 0,650 miles

Constructed: 1991

Modified: 2018