Year: 2023

Miguel Oliveira, Cryptodata RNF MotoGP Team rider, started well prepared and highly motivated for the first Sunday race of the 2023 season, at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, anticipating a promising close in this first round. However, the final result proved to be more challenging, as the Charneca de Caparica rider was prevented from finishing the race.

The national hero showed excellent pace and confidence after an impressive Sprint Race on Saturday. Starting from the fourth position on the starting grid, all eyes were on the Portuguese rider when, after a fantastic start, he took the lead on the first lap, even being applauded in several stands. Although Francesco Bagnaia overtook him on the second lap, leaving him in second place, Oliveira took on incredible speed to chase him and would certainly fight for a place on the podium over the 25 laps scheduled for the course of the race.

However, he was hit by Marc Marquez on the third lap, which caused him to suffer a serious crash. Miguel Oliveira was immediately transferred to the medical center, where an X-ray thankfully revealed no fracture. The Portuguese rider will undergo some additional tests and treatments next week to ensure that he will be able to compete properly in the second round of the Championship, which will take place next week in Termas de Rio Hondo, Argentina.

“Today was a shame, obviously to end my home Grand Prix in just two laps was not something I expected. However, we can still be proud on the progress we made throughout this week. We had a difficult day on Friday and then to do Qualifying like how we did it yesterday and to almost have the podium in hand on the last lap in the Sprint Race was amazing. We had a good start today, to lead and then coming second, I think there was a clear opportunity for us to score a podium. I'm still very bruised on the right side of my hip from the crash, hopefully I can do everything I can do be fully fit for Argentina next weekend”, said Miguel Oliveira.

“That hasn’t been a good result of the first race, for obvious reason. I will push for tougher penalties for riders who recklessly endangered other riders in this incident. MotoGP riders need to be made an example for the younger Moto2 and Moto3 riders and reckless racing like this need to be severely punished so that riders are aware of what not to do. After all, it's a 25 laps race not a sprint race and this happened to Miguel on the third lap. Fortunately, Miguel is okay with no broken bones and we wish him a good recovery in the next couple of days before flying off to Argentina. For Raul, he showed a good progress during the Sprint Race yesterday, unfortunately for the main race today, he suffered some issues with his right arm. We will have to evaluate the situation and find a solution for the next race", commented Razlan Razali, Founder and Team Principal CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team.

“After ending round one, I'm happy to see the speed we have with the boys, especially Miguel, who has a fantastic pace. We finished seventh in the Sprint Race yesterday and were very proud to fight for the podium. Of course, I'm not satisfied with both riders’ results for the main Race on Sunday. To be taken out by Marc (Marquez) was a hug pity for Miguel, especially at his home round. Raul struggled after 16 laps in the main race, he had probably some nerve issues in his right hand, so he could not control his throttle and brake properly and had to reduce his speed. He then made a mistake in Turn four and crashed. The situation in general is quite tough. We already miss three or four riders of the championship after this first round, I’m a little bit afraid, that something is going the wrong way. We definitely need to look into that”, admited Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team.

Miguel Oliveira, CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team rider, had an emotional Saturday at the Portuguese Grand Prix. The national idol, in addition to having managed to qualify in P4, thus starting from the second row of the starting grid, even fought for a position on the podium in the first Sprint race in the history of the MotoGP World Championship.

After a challenging Friday and some contusions on his left leg and foot following a heavy crash, Oliveira was fully motivated to make up for lost ground on Saturday at his home circuit, the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve and so he did. The home hero delivered an incredible Qualifying one to make it to P2 in order to get the last ticket for Q2. In Qualifying two, he delivered once again posting the fourth fastest time and earning a spot at the front of the second row for the race on Sunday, and also for the first-ever sprint race in MotoGP history today.

Starting there, he managed to stay inside the top five for quite a while, and even went up to P4 on the fifth lap of the race. During the final three laps of the short sprint, he had a strong battle with Marc Marquez and Jack Miller and even managed to position himself in third place on the last lap. However, an unfortunate mistake on the brake cost him valuable meters, and he ultimately crossed the line in seventh.

“Of course, it would have been much nicer to be in third place, but it's not a huge disappointment as we still have a full race tomorrow. I went wide during the last lap as I was braking a bit too much in the wrong place, so I just went off track and couldn't make the corner with the wind inside of the bike. It's a shame, but it's still three points. We have another chance tomorrow, plus we have an opportunity to prepare the bike a bit better for the main race”, said Miguel Oliveira.

Sunday's race will feature the first full race distance in 2023, with the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team rider preparing for the 25-lap race after the Warm Up at 09:45 local time (10:45 CET) and the race starting at 14:00 local time (15:00 CET).

The opening day of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve proved to be an eventful one. This morning’s FP1 was spoiled by some light rain in the beginning, while two red flags hindered proceedings in the afternoon during Free Practice two.

The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team rider Miguel Oliveira struggled to build up the right confidence and speed with the interruptions, and on his way to a fast time, he went down. Luckily, Oliveira came away with no further damage, although the Portuguese home hero was affected by a contusion to his left foot and leg.

Local man Oliveira struggled to build a feeling in the changing conditions this morning and at the beginning of FP2, which was quickly interrupted by nearly half an hour by some timing issues. After the re-start, the Portuguese suffered a crash out of turn ten, where he hit his left leg heavily. Despite his crash, he was able to improve his lap time from the morning session by 0.836 seconds and ended the day in P19, just 0.054 seconds behind his teammate, Raul Fernandez.

“Today was a strange day. We had Practice one with some drizzle at the beginning and managed to do only two runs. Therefore, we were not able to get a really good feeling. In Free Practice two it started quite well, I felt good with the bike, but when I tried the other bike we had in the garage with another configuration there was an issue with the steering damper. Then, there was this huge delay on the timing error. I don’t know what happened. For sure today was not the brightest day in terms of how smooth the sessions were. I had a heavy crash when I went on my out lap with new tyres. I went down because of a cold rear tyre. At first, I thought Pol’s bike had hit me, but then I completely understood that I crashed alone and I highsided at the entry of turn 11. Luckily, I had just a contusion of my foot and on my left leg. Still I tried to do my best and go out with the soft front and the soft rear, trying to get a good lap time. But I was just not confident and just tried to get through the day. Hopefully tomorrow we’ll have a better one”, said Miguel Oliveira.

The Charneca de Caparica rider is looking to gain more confidence in Free Practice three tomorrow at 10:10 local time (11:10 CET) in hopes of making it through to Q2 and securing a solid starting position for the first-ever MotoGP sprint race on Saturday at 15:00 local time (16:00 CET).

The long-awaited presentation of Miguel Oliveira's new team – CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team – took place in Portugal, at the opening of the 2023 season, revealing the new DNA, colors and innovations of the structure, which set the tone for an exciting and ambitious season.

Innovation and the will to excel are the keywords for the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team in 2023, which ushers in a new era as the first Aprilia Racing satellite team in the history of the MotoGP World Championship and a unique partnership between RNF Racing Ltd . and CryptoDATA. The team's spirit is reflected in the bold combination of green, blue, black and rose gold, representing the transition from the previous team to the new one, as well as their commitment to excellence, passion for the sport and willingness to innovate and break with the norm traditional.

“I really like the new paint job! The colors are different and unique, so it's going to be great to be on the track like this. I can't wait for the first race at my home circuit, representing the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team aboard my Aprilia RS-GP! In 2023, I have a new challenge at hand, so I hope we can get along well and achieve the goals we've set together during this season. The bike has a lot of potential and I am sure that now, together with the team, we can adapt everything even more to my riding style and start being fast to be competitive”, says Miguel Oliveira.

Driven by a renewed spirit combined with a strong duo formed by national hero Miguel Oliveira and young rider Raul Fernandez, the team is looking forward to competing in the MotoGP category with the Aprilia RS-GPs. With a positive and promising outlook after successful tests in Valencia, Sepang and Portimao, the collaboration between Miguel, Raul and Aprilia hopes to bring sustainability to the track, whilst setting the tone for continued growth.

The upcoming season is set to be an exciting journey for the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team, marked by the enthusiasm and energy shared by longtime partners such as Greenpower Generators, RCB and WRS, and new partners such as Sterilgarda, Castrol, Estrella Galicia and Shark . With the backing of innovative technology company CryptoDATA, the team is determined to push the boundaries of what is possible in MotoGP. Together, the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team will bring cutting-edge technology to the sport and an unparalleled experience for fans, partners and sponsors.

Razlan Razali, Founder and Team Principal CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team

"I'm thrilled to finally start the new season with a revamped spirit and our bold new colors that reflect the new CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team. As a team, we're dedicated to making changes and going out of the box from the norm of the sport. We've partnered with CryptoDATA to bring cutting-edge technology to the sport and help us stay at the forefront of innovation. But beyond our partnership, we're focused on bringing our own unique approach to racing, with a team culture that emphasizes excellence, determination, passion and the desire to be different.”

“I would like to express my gratitude to all those who have been a part of this incredible journey with us. First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to Mr. Carmelo Ezpeleta, Dorna, IRTA, Mr. Massimo Rivola, CEO of Aprilia Racing for the strong technical support from the factory team, our longstanding partners who have stood by us through thick and thin, such as Greenpower Generators, RCB, WRS, BETA, and many more. And to our new partners who are joining us on this new adventure, we extend a warm welcome to Sterilgarda, Shark, Estrella Galicia, and Castrol. We are thrilled to have you all onboard and look forward to achieving great success together in the future.”

“The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team represents an exciting new chapter for the team and for the sport, we're eager to see where the future takes us. Ultimately, we believe that with having our partners who share the same vision on board with us, we are well-positioned for success and to make our mark in the sport. Now, we have a focus on innovation and to push boundaries, we are sure to bring new excitement and energy to the world of motorcycle racing this season."

Ovidiu Toma, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of CryptoDATA Tech

"The partnership with RNF MotoGP Team and MotoGP can revolutionize how we think about technology and sports. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we aim to deliver unrivaled traceability and performance metrics while enhancing the fan experience through exciting new features.”

“Through our collaboration, we are introducing a new platform that will comprehensively track all aspects of the MotoGP experience, from riders’ performance to fan engagement. The platform will provide real-time updates, interactive features, and exclusive content to fans, while also offering sponsors invaluable insights, allowing them to better understand their audience and create targeted campaigns that resonate with fans on a deeper level.”

"At the heart of this collaboration lies a shared commitment to innovation, performance, and excellence. Both CryptoDATA and RNF are passionate about pushing the boundaries of what's possible, and we believe that this partnership will help us achieve our shared goals."

Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team

“Having this moment of truth, having the team launch as a presentation of 2023 makes you feel proud. Behind the scenes we have been working hard to create a lot of new stuff and material in order to look better, to perform better and to race basically against each other. We are here with around 35 people and two fantastic riders plus this new livery, which is a great achievement. It makes us all happy to see that there are two more Aprilia bikes on the starting grid of the MotoGP World Championship and I’m very curious for this first race in Portimao to see how our boys are able to perform in this very strong category.”

The RNF Aprilia MotoGP Team concluded today the pre-season tests at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve with positive prospects for the next 21 rounds of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship.

Sunshine and spring temperatures marked the second and final day of testing ahead of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship season today at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve. As on Saturday, Miguel Oliveira was able to make the most of his time on the track from early morning until sunset.

With more and more laps aboard his Aprilia RS-GP and being comfortable with the 'roller coaster' that he is so familiar with, Oliveira improved this Sunday his fastest lap of yesterday without difficulty. The pilot from Charneca de Caparica made a total of 147 laps over the two days of testing, and today, Sunday, Oliveira managed to be 1.024 seconds faster than on the first day and ended the official test in P11, just 0.616 seconds behind of the fastest.

“After today, we are in a good place to start the first Grand Prix. Though we would like to be a bit more in front in the standings, our pace was quite strong and we have been there during the whole day which is good. Unfortunately, in the afternoon today during the time attack, I had a small crash, I was pushing and there was nothing I could do. We have some work to do, I just need to start the race weekend to see where we are”, commented Miguel Oliveira.

In less than two weeks, the 2023 MotoGP World Championship season will kick off with the first of 21 rounds at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, in Portimão, Portugal, where Oliveira sets his sights on high flights. The RNF Aprilia MotoGP Team is set to show its official 2023 colors to the world in an exclusive virtual launch on Monday, March 20th.

Miguel Oliveira rode today on the asphalt of Portimão, more precisely at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, for the last pre-season test before the start of the first race of 2023, having closed the sixth best time of the day, in 1m39s466.

With the sun and spring temperatures peeking out, the long Saturday of work on the 'roller coaster' allowed the Almada rider to train with his Aprilia RS-GP over 75 laps.

Local hero Miguel Oliveira felt visibly at home from the first minute, working on adapting to his new machine and also adapting the bike to his own needs. Under the watchful eye of the grandstands, where a generous audience of fans was, the Charneca de Caparica rider finished this Saturday in sixth position, just 0.695s off the best time set by Francesco Bagnaia.

"Today was a great day. I feel really good on the bike. We didn’t do any time attack, but we are still very competitive. Therefore, I’m really looking forward to tomorrow. I’ll try to get even more speed out of the Aprilia RS-GP and try to get even more comfortable aboard the bike”, said Miguel Oliveira.

Sunday will be the last day of pre-season preparation at the Portuguese track for the MotoGP World Championship before the first round of 2023, which takes place between March 24th and 26th at the same venue.

It is already on the 11th and 12th of March, this Saturday and Sunday, that Miguel Oliveira – like, in fact, the entire MotoGP caravan – will head to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (AIA), in Portimão, for a new round of tests, before the official start of the MotoGP championship.

Miguel Oliveira arrives at the Algarve “rollercoaster” for two days of tests, maintaining his objective of getting to know and adapting to his new bike, in order to be as prepared as possible for the 21 Grand Prix of the year, which in 2023 will acquire a new format by including, in addition to the main race of the event (which takes place on Sundays), the “sprint races” (on Saturdays).

“I'm really excited, I'm counting the days to be honest. I want to start strong and with a lot of speed. That's what I hope and that's what I want: to achieve an excellent result in front of the Portuguese public”, says the Charneca de Caparica rider who was the first rider in the history of MotoGP to win at Portimão.

The Portuguese circuit will, as is known, host the opening of the championship and the return of the inaugural race to Europe, after almost two decades since the last time in 2006.

The debut in Portugal of the first race of the year is scheduled for the weekend of March 24th to 26th and is shrouded in some expectations, especially in a circuit that is very popular internationally and in a season in which the pilot Miguel Oliveira embraces the new RNF Aprilia MotoGP Team structure, driving an Aprilia RS-GP, with which he will officially make his first Grand Prix at 'home'.

Before this inaugural race, the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve will receive all the action on the weekend of March 11th and 12th, with eight-hour daily test sessions, between 10:00 am and 6:00 pm, along the 4.59 km length of the track, and it is possible to attend the sessions free of charge for those who hold a ticket to the GP Portugal. For those who have not yet guaranteed their presence at the Portuguese Grand Prix, you can watch the tests for €10 (AIA ticket office).

Cofidis and the MotoGP rider Miguel Oliveira have just renewed, for a period of two years, their partnership that began in 2017. The sponsorship agreement was made official this morning, at a conference held at Cofidis headquarters, in Lisbon, between the Portuguese rider, Miguel Oliveira, and the Commercial Director of Cofidis in Portugal, Licínio Santos.

Over the past few years, the brand and the Portuguese star have been strengthening ties and increasing the degree of trust generated within the scope of this partnership that has lasted for seven years.

Licínio Santos, Commercial Director of Cofidis in Portugal, highlights the importance of this sponsorship agreement: “It is with great pride that we renewed this partnership with Miguel Oliveira for another two years. More than seven years are following the journey and the evolution of one of the greatest talents of motorcycling, which has already given so many joys to the Portuguese, and which, in a unique way, has distinguished itself in the international sports level. Miguel has managed his career with enormous determination and resilience, values with which we identify. This signature therefore demonstrates the confidence we have in him as an athlete and reinforces the long-term commitment that unites us.”

Miguel Oliveira emphasizes that “It is a great honor to be able to count on the sponsorship of a great international brand such as Cofidis, which over the last few years has shown a lot of commitment to this partnership. In sports, it is very important to build relationships of trust like the one I have developed with this brand and, therefore, I face the renewal of this partnership with a great sense of responsibility. Having Cofidis by my side will certainly help me to overcome the challenges that arise in this very ambitious phase of my motorcycling career.”

It is recalled that Miguel Oliveira recently joined the RNF Aprilia MotoGP Team, after having finished the 2022 season within the top 10 of the championship, with 149 points.

Alongside his motorcycling career, the athlete continues to focus on training and mentoring young riders, with the Miguel Oliveira Racing Team, which resumes competition this year in the ESBK – Spanish Superbike Championship.

The third and final day of testing at the Sepang International Circuit in Malaysia saw an early end of track action when rain set in with less than one hour to go. Yet, Miguel Oliveira and his RNF MotoGP Team managed to use a fair amount of time on a dry track, but also wet conditions on Saturday in order to prepare for the upcoming MotoGP World Championship season. Miguel Oliveira and his team leave Malaysia with a decent feeling.

During the three testing days, Miguel Oliveira was working further on adapting himself to his Aprilia RS-GP, and starting to adjust more and more. The Portuguese did a total of 154 laps throughout the three days of testing with a fastest lap of 1:58.839 minutes on Saturday, which see him finishing in P15 overall. Now, the local hero can’t wait to return home, where the premier class will have a second pre-season test in 2023 at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in March ahead of the first race of the season.

"I expected more from myself today to be honest, but when it came to putting it all together during the time attacks, we just couldn't do it. There is still a bit of work to be done in the adaptation of this bike as it is truly different to ride. But we know exactly what we need to do, we will make a plan for the test in Portimao as we have another two days of testing before we get ready to start the race season. In general, today was good, I had a decent pace and worked on a few things on the bike and managed to understand it a bit more", concludes Miguel Oliveira.

Remember that the new season will be the longest ever, with 21 scheduled races, the first of which will take place in Portugal, at the renowned Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, on the weekend of March 24th to 26th.

Rain affected the second day of testing in Malaysia, yet Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira, from the RNF Aprilia MotoGP Team, improved noticeably.

The second day of the official MotoGP testing at the Sepang International Circuit started on a damp track this morning. Some rain showers interrupted proceedings throughout the day, but Miguel Oliveira did not only just set fast dry lap times, but also learned to ride his new Aprilia RS-GP in the wet.

Although time on a dry track was limited due to some drops of rain and some heavier showers towards the end of the day, Oliveira managed to improve on his personal best lap time from day one by 0.891 seconds. Thereby, the Portuguese star moved up to second place in the test standings of the day, just 0.103 seconds behind the fastest rider after doing 52 laps today.

“Today was a good day! It’s true that we didn’t get as much dry time as we wanted. Actually, we wanted to test a couple more things with the bike, but we couldn’t. That was a shame. But we still enjoyed ourselves throughout today. Hopefully, we get the chance to have some more track time in dry conditions tomorrow”, reveals Miguel Oliveira.

Tomorrow will be the final test day at the Sepang International Circuit, before the entire paddock moves over to Europe for two further days of testing at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, at Portimão, Portugal, in March ahead of the first of 21 rounds of 2023 at the same venue.