Year: 2022

Miguel Oliveira returned this weekend to four wheels and to victories, this time at the mythical Vila Real International Circuit, which hosted its 51st sports event and, more precisely, the 5th FIA – WTCR event and the 2nd round of the Portuguese Championship of Speed ​​(CPV – Campeonato Portugal de Velocidade).

Between Friday and Sunday, July 1st to 3rd, the MotoGP rider from the KTM Factory Team and ambassador for Hyundai took part in the CPV race, side by side with his father and manager Paulo Oliveira, having categorically won in the TCR class in a Hyundai i30 N TCR, in both races held.

“In the first race [on Saturday], our start was too far back, but later on I managed to get onto the clear track, which allowed me to get to know it better and gain positions. The weather was very hot, which made all the driving situation a little difficult, but I became aware that this is a very technical track and my main learning was in relation to the track limits – you really need to have great driving skills at this circuit. As for the second race, which took place today, the start was a little out of control, but my father managed to get out of the situation well and also managed to fulfill the objective which was to bring me the entire i30 N, so that I could follow on and have fun. Both my father and I loved this experience and I just have to thank you for the invitation we received from Hyundai Both my father and I loved this experience and I can only thank the invitation we received from Hyundai”, said the driver from Charneca de Caparica.

The sports program of the 51st Vila Real International Circuit started on Thursday (June 30) with a warm welcome from motorsport lovers to the drivers who were part of the Circuit's registration list, to which long lines of fans of the Almada driver also joined for an autograph session in Vila Real City Council. Friday was marked by the start of the training sessions and the completion of the qualifications for all registered classes.

The races took place on Saturday and Sunday, along the more than 4,700m of the Vila Real city circuit, a circuit that returned to activity after a two-year break caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. In addition to the double triumph of Miguel Oliveira, the strong support of the public in the stands and paddock made everything even more special, confirming the expectation of an epic weekend, full of emotions and adrenaline.

Next weekend that Miguel Oliveira returns to one of 'his' circuits of choice, Mugello. Located in a valley of rare beauty in Tuscany, the Italian track saw the KTM in second position in 2021, being also the track where he won for the first time back in 2015, then riding the Moto3 KTM , a success he repeated in 2018 when fighting for the Moto2 world title.

In the ten years in which he competed in the 5245 meters of the track – in 2020 the race did not take place – Miguel Oliveira managed to finish in the top five six times, seven in the top ten and only once (2012) he couldn't finish the race, which makes Mugello one of the most successful circuits in his career in MotoGP.

The italian cathedral next to the historic city of Florence hosted a GP for the first time in 1976 but has been permanently on the calendar since 1991, setting itself apart from the other 'stages' of the championship due to its long straight to finish line – 1141 meters – and its 15 curves, 9 to the right and six to the left. Miguel Oliveira and the KTM RC 16 will have to complete a total of 23 laps of the circuit next Sunday, in a total of 120.6 kilometers.

It was in a absolutely fantastic mood that Miguel Oliveira was received this afternoon in the city of Portimão. Alongside the mayor of the Algarve city and Paulo Pinheiro, CEO of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, the KTM rider returned to is 'home' in the 2022 championship calendar, and where he was the first winner of a MotoGP race back in 2020.

'It's always nice to come home and it's very special to be welcomed by my fans here in Portimão. This is without a doubt a special GP for me and just like in 2020 I will try again to at least be on the podium. We know it's not easy but we will fight as usual and with the extra support from the portuguese public, the will to achieve my goals will be even higher.'

Miguel Oliveira will wear a helmet specially decorated for this purpose in this GP of Portugal 2022 and in which the 88 and the X stand out, which was the 'cover' of the album with the same title by the iconic portuguese band 'Xutos & Pontapés' that associated with the pilot.

'All this 88 symbolism was born after I was offered a vinyl of the 'Xutos & Pontapés' album. At the time, I didn't even know what it was, but after having 'discovered' it, this association with the band made perfect sense and that's why we created the helmet decoration for this GP.' A helmet that will be raffled off among Miguel Oliveira's fans and whose value raised with the action will be donated to the Almadense Rumo ao Futuro association in partnership with football coach André Villas-Boas 'Race for Good foundation.

After the fantastic reception in Portimão, Miguel Oliveira led a large caravan of fans with his KTM RC16 to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve who, in a festive atmosphere, 'left' the rider in the paddock, anticipating a fantastic weekend from next Friday.

MotoGP rider Miguel Oliveira, portuguese rock band Xutos & Pontapés and football coach André Villas-Boas, join in a unique campaign of solidarity support.

In 1988, Xutos & Pontapé released the album 88, which featured the 'anthems' 'A minha casinha' (My little house) and 'À minha maneira' (My way), songs much appreciated by the KTM rider and which set the tone for this moment of support in 2022 at the time of the Portuguese GP. The fact that Miguel Oliveira competes at home in front of his crowd, as well as his persistence, raised for this idea a image that will be reproduced on a t-shirt for sale, where the amount of 5 Euros will be donated to social solidarity through the association Race for Good, chaired by coach André Villas-Boas.

In the image there are three elements: the nation, the goal and Miguel Oliveira in the form of an 88, an image that dates back to the Xutos & Pontapés album, in 1988 and which will also be reproduced on the helmet that the rider will wear during the weekend in Portimão. This helmet will be drawn and to qualify, you just have to go to the Fan Club Truck-shop, located in the Fan Zone – Riverside Zone of Portimão, and for every 10 euros in purchases, they will offer you a coupon that enables you to participate!

To give more color to the moment, Xutos & Pontapés recorded a clip where Miguel Oliveira contributes with the voice.