Year: 2018

Miguel Oliveira took part in a fourth day of 2018 preseason testing this Tuesday at Jerez. Positive weather conditions meant that he was able to put in more laps than on any other previous occasion, aiding his lowering of lap times by around half a second. 

The intermediate class riders were able to take full advantage of the three Moto2-exclusive sessions. So much so, that Oliveira put in more than 60 laps apiece. The Portuguese set his best time in the session at midday, with a 1:42.154 that has placed him sixth for the day. Oliveira was unable to reduce his time in the last hour of action, suffering a light crash that prevented him from completing the session. 

#44 Miguel Oliveira

“Today was a positive day, although unfortunately I suffered a light crash at the end of the day. I wasn't hurt at all, however. We dedicated the day to getting the bike ready and working on the lack of grip we have with the rear. I am very satisfied with the work we have done. Tomorrow we have to continue in this way. We'll look for a setup that allows us to go fast, in order to better manage the tyres for the race and have a good pace”.

Tomorrow sees the completion of the second week of 2018 preseason testing.

Combined Standings Day 2

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 1:41.638

2. Alex Marquez (Kalex) 1:41.848 +0.210

3. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 1:41.992 +0.354

4. Luca Marini (Kalex) 1:42.014 +0.376

5. Mattia Pasini (Kalex) 1:42.053 +0.415

6. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:42.154 +0.516

Following last week's test in Valencia, this Monday the Red Bull KTM Ajo Portuguese rider were on track in Jerez to start a further three days of action. Although the Miguel Oliveira tried to escape the cold and wet conditions, he wouldn’t participate in the second session due to the rain. Fortunately, he was able to take advantage of the first and last sessions, obtaining fourth in the combined timesheet.

Once again, the first day of testing was used to gain feeling and adapt to the weather, this time with strong winds. Oliveira was also able to start comparing different bike setups, this time focusing on suspension. Miguel Oliveira, after 37 laps, set a best time of 1:42.594 -fourth-; a lap half a second faster than his top time in the first hour of testing.

#44 Miguel Oliveira

“This first day went well. At midday it rained and we couldn't ride in the second session. The track dried out fairly quickly and we were able to work, although we have plenty of room for improvement tomorrow. We have been able to test some suspension settings, but the truth is that we have focused basically on adapting the bike to the windy conditions and low grip we have encountered at the moment."

Testing at the Andalusian track will continue until Wednesday.

Combined Standings Day 1

1. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 1:42.330

2. Alex Marquez (Kalex) 1:42.496 +0.166

3. Mattia Pasini (Kalex) 1:42.560 +0.230

4. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:42.594 +0.264

5. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 1:42.687 +0.357    

This Thursday saw the conclusion of the first official tests of the 2018 preseason in Valencia. Miguel Oliveira completed his second day of testing, improving on the times set yesterday despite the low temperatures that have affected the entire week. On the combined timesheet for the two days, the Portuguese achieved the fourth fastest time.

The 3ºC track temperature in the first hour of the morning session made it unviable for the Portuguese rider to go out. The Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 rider was able to get on his KTM machines in the second and third sessions, however. Miguel Oliveira set the same laptime in both sessions -1:36.1- after completing a total of 55 laps. He also dedicated time to get comfortable onboard his KTM and starting to try out small setup adjustments.

#44 Miguel Oliveira

"This second day has been positive, as we were able to complete more laps than yesterday. Even so, it was cold. The objective of these tests is not to take risks to look for first position but to do the work we had planned before starting. Today we tried to adapt the bike to the conditions that we encountered and we achieved that. We’ve had two satisfactory days. We hope to be able to get more out of our visit to Jerez than from these days in Valencia."

Next week, from February 12th to 14th, the Red Bull KTM Ajo team will be at the Jerez Circuit in search of better weather conditions and more track time.

Combined Standings Day 1-2-3

1. Mattia Pasini (Kalex) 1:35.779

2. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 1:35.795 +0.016

3. Simone Corsi (Kalex) 1:35.915 +0.136

4. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:36.146 +0.367

5. Isaac Viñales (Kalex) 1:36.212 +0.433

The first Moto2 and Moto3 World Championship test of the year takes place this week in Spain, as the Ricardo Tormo Circuit in Valencia hosts what was scheduled to be three days of action. However, for Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders Miguel Oliveira and Brad Binder, today was the first time out on track with their bikes in 2018, after being forced to remain in the garage yesterday due to rain.

However, it was not until the second session of the day that Miguel Oliveira got onboard his KTM Moto2 machine. Low temperatures and a still damp track were not the best conditions in which to start riding before then. Oliveira was fast from the beginning, completing the day in second place with a time of 1:36.334, following a total of 32 laps. A small, harmless crash in the final minutes prevented him from taking advantage of the rest of the third session.

#44 Miguel Oliveira

"It is true that today we were only able to put in a few laps, but it has still been enough to shake of the cobwebs and begin to find our feeling again. In the last session I suffered a small crash on the final corner, but wasn't hurt. We set the second best time, so it's not a bad start. Tomorrow we will continue to work hard because it is only the beginning of it all."

The first official test of the season will end tomorrow. The Portuguese Moto2 rider will have almost 4 hours of track time in which to continue evolving and progressing, ahead of the start of the season in Qatar.

Combined Standings Day 1-2

1. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 1:36.149

2. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 1:36.334 +0.185

3. Mattia Pasini (Kalex) 1:36.493 +0.344

4. Simone Corsi (Kalex) 1:36.522 +0.373

5. Marcel Schrotter (Kalex) 1:36.751 +0.602

From tomorrow, 6th until 8th February, Miguel Oliveira and the remaining Moto2 and Moto3 riders return to the tracks for the first of three pre-season training sessions. The first non-mandatory training will take place at the Ricardo Tormo circuit in Valencia, the scene of the last victory claimed by the 23-year-old rider at the end of the year. The remaining two training sessions will take place in Jerez de La Frontera on different dates.

The Portuguese rider had not yet had the opportunity to test the new KTM and will do so tomorrow, before the attentive and expectant eyes of all. "Expectations are high for the Championship, but I have to be calm as always, take the risk when I need to, because that is how important points are added in the first races, which can turn out to be decisive in the final accounts," said Miguel Oliveira. "Winter has been spent doing physical work and much, but very much, gym. My preparation was not much different than usual, but I've been trying to spend more time on bikes than usual to start the championship stronger than in recent years. That's my focus, that's my goal for this season start”, he concludes.

In addition to the intensive physical training plan, during the winter break, Miguel Oliveira was also submitted to a surgery on the right colarbone to remove the titanium plate, placed shortly after the fall in the Aragon GP practice in 2016, when he was still in Leopard Racing Moto2 team.

Before the winter break the Moto2 teams tested twice at Jerez and Valencia, where the Portuguese rider led the timesheet. Now the attention is focused on Oliveira, who has often been pointed out for the title this year.

Between February 12 and 14 and March 6-8, testing takes place in Jerez, where temperatures are warmer this time of year.

Portuguese Moto2 rider Miguel Oliveira has just been distinguished by the Portuguese Sports Confederation as Sportsman of the Year, in the Male Athlete category. This award was attributed yesterday, during the 22nd Sports Gala, in the Estoril Casino.

“This award is special because it is a distinction made by the public. It’s (the public) recognition is very important and, fortunately, I have been getting more followers, more people that watches Sunday races, and that’s a reason for great satisfaction for me. My only focus is to maintain people’s expectations high and keep being able to give to Portugal the results I’ve been giving, all these victories”, said Miguel Oliveira.

The young Red Bull KTM Ajo Motorsport rider is the only portuguese to race full-time in the World Motorcycle Championship’s history, and has been achieving successive milestones for the sport at a national level with his faultless performances world-wide. Just in 2017, in the Moto2 category, he achieved 2 pole positions, 9 podiums and a hat trick of victories in the last championship races (Australia, Malaysia and Valencia).

Miguel Oliveira was rewarded by the Portuguese Sports Confederation for the second time in a row.