Miguel Oliveira knew it but this time, he saw it: things turn quickly in MotoGP and, at KTM, we are doing more in the particle accelerator in this already unstable precipitate. At the end of 2020, his position as leader of the RC16 project was detected and until the summer break of the 2021 campaign, it was able to be confirmed. By this time, he had pulled KTM out of its early season rut to the point where it was starting to be considered a title contender. Then the second half and it turned out to be more than disappointing, a disillusionment which apparently also reached the decision-makers at Mattighofen. Otherwise, they would not already say that their four motorcycles are to be taken for 2023...
Miguel Oliveira must therefore be relaunched and very quickly. Because we are quickly in the red among the orange tunics where we never go green. The Portuguese knows his situation. He does not brood but recognizes that he is not completely white: “ for a while, I've been experiencing very strong highs and very strong lows he says. " When I have difficulties technically, I really wish the team could give me a bike that helps me. And personally, what I can improve are the times when I struggle to do things differently ».
« CAnswers don't come overnight and this winter, we have to do in-depth analyzes to understand why I suffered so much ". So much for sharing responsibilities. However, it appears that this injury suffered upon returning to Austria had a very particular impact on the career of the teammate of Brad Binder : " my wrist injury didn't allow me to understand 100% what I could do in August and September. The injury was an important element of the season ».
Miguel Oliveira: “ It's not an injury that limited my riding, but I was still riding with limitations.s”
This injury was a cracked wrist, the result of a fall during practice for the Styrian Grand Prix, following poorly evaluated management of the traction control. An illness which would have required rest, time from which he obviously could not benefit due to the succession of racing weekends: “ the fall was crucial because it was not an injury that limited my riding, but I was still riding with limitations. It was very sensitive because it was on the right wrist. The injury itself couldn't be healed any faster, and riding obviously slowed down the healing process a bit. » he recalls on Motorsport.com
« It limited me more than I expected and what the team expected. I wasn't able to ride at my best level. Often, when the bike is not perfect, I can compensate for our difficulties with the riding, but the injury has really blocked me at this level. It's really a shame. The feeling that remains is an unrealized potential in the second part of the season » he finishes.
