It's sad to say, but Miguel Oliveira had a… expected Sunday in Catalonia. Indeed, yesterday, at the end of the Sprint, he warned that the race was going to be difficult, and even, that he didn't really know what to do about it. Something promised, something due. The RNF rider did not find the solution to really play in front in Barcelona, and could do nothing against the two factory Aprilias, and even against the two Ducati Pramacs.
“I knew I could have tire problems during the race”he told journalists at speedweek. “I was very strong in the first eight laps, but then the situation got worse. I tried to keep the two Ducatis of Jorge and Johann behind me but it didn't work." he added. Strange, however, because we know that he excels at conserving tires. Maybe it's because he's riding a 2022 model, not as good on worn rubber as the 2023 RS-GPs. " Honestly, I do not know. We need to analyze the data to understand how I can be closer to the factory machines. » he clarified. Ultimately, a fifth place is far from a bad result in what is, obviously, a year of transition.
Change for third! 🔄@ _moliveira88 has the all-Aprilia podium pinched off him! ⚔️#CatalanGP 🏁 pic.twitter.com/yMrAr3JzfR
- MotoGP @ 🏁 (@MotoGP) September 3, 2023
Of course, he couldn't avoid questions about the collision at the start. Miguel Oliveira can breathe, he was not involved. « For once, it's not me » he quipped before launching into a much more serious explanation. “The only thing that could be done to improve the situation is to ban devices that influence the height of the motorcycle. You have to brake very hard and very late to deactivate this starting aid. But since we start with low air pressures, the tire is not yet ready to handle such loads” he said. A very relevant point of view coming from a driver who has been hit three times in the first two corners, in Portugal, in Jerez, then, recently, in Austria. « If you try to overtake a lot of riders when the bike is not ready, then accidents like this can happen » he concluded.
What do you think of his perspective on the situation? Tell us in the comments!
Here is the result of the 2023 MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix:
Classification credit: MotoGP.com
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
