This Sunday at the Jerez-Angel Nieto Circuit, Miguel Oliveira converted his worst position on the starting grid this year into his best finish of the season to date. The Portuguese went from fourteenth to second during the Red Bull Spanish GP, to claim the 25th podium of his career.
Starting from the fifth row, Miguel Oliveira had already moved his way up to eighth on the first sector and was into seventh at the end of the first lap. He continued to move steadily up the order and was second on Lap 5, sticking there for the remainder of the race -albeit trying to catch the leader.
Miguel Oliveira #44
“Qualifying yesterday was very hard for me, because I couldn't find the right line. I knew inside that I had some strong points for this race but yesterday I couldn't place higher than 14th position. I knew I had to give everything in the race and climb positions as quickly as possible. On the first few laps I realised that the group at the front was breaking away, but I thought I would be able to catch up with them. Fighting for the victory was difficult because Baldassarri was very strong and gave everyone else no chance. This second position, with all the fans that have come from Portugal cheering me on -it's like my home Grand Prix- feels even better than a regular victory”.
Aki Ajo – Team Manager
"We have to be very happy with today's race, especially with what Miguel [Oliveira] did, because it's been a very difficult weekend for him. We don't know exactly what the reason is, but above all on Friday and Saturday he seemed to be under pressure. I am very happy because he has made a change of mentality and did an excellent job in the race. Of course, this second position means almost more than a victory, because he took some very important points for the World Championship”.
After the first European event of the season, the Moto2 World Championship moves on to Le Mans for the French GP on May 20th. Miguel Oliveira will come into the event third in the overall standings with 63 points, 10 behind the leader.
Results (Race)
1. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 39:33.889
2. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) +2.851
3. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) +6.250
4. Xavi Vierge (Kalex) +6.953
5. Mattia Pasini (Kalex) +10.138
Moto2 World Championship Standing 2018
1. Francesco Bagnaia (Kalex) 73 points
2. Lorenzo Baldassarri (Kalex) 64 points
3. Miguel Oliveira (Red Bull KTM Ajo) 63 points
4. Mattia Pasini (Kalex) 58 points
5. Alex Marquez (Kalex) 47 points
