Here's What Miguel Oliveira Thinks Of His Time In MotoGP With KTM
Categories: MotoGP
After four years together in MotoGP, Miguel Oliveira left Austrian manufacturer KTM after the 2022 season. For the Portuguese, the departure came “at the right time”.
In the spring of 2022, contacts between Jack Miller and his former employer from Moto3 became more concrete. The Australian’s move to KTM soon became contractual.
As time progressed, it became impossible for Miguel Oliveira to remain with KTM. The Portuguese rider turned down an offer for the satellite team of the Austrian manufacturer – he had other plans.
After four years with KTM in MotoGP, the championship tenth draws a conclusion about his time with KTM. “I think it’s been a successful four years,” the 27-year-old looks back.
Miguel Oliveira at the Valencia test day – Image provided by Motorsport Images
“Sure, things haven’t always gone as smoothly as we would have liked. Nonetheless, the Portuguese remains positive: “I think the progress has been there since I started in 2019. The bike has been brought to a good level.”
It was not easy for the five-time MotoGP race winner to say goodbye. He “left with the feeling that [he] had not achieved what [he] wanted in terms of results”.
Still, “time has come to dedicate to a new project”. And the Portuguese has found one in the new Aprilia satellite team.
On Aprilia’s declining form in the 2022 season, Oliveira has only one thing to say: “I’m not too worried about that.” He confirmed this right away on the test day in Valencia.
Miguel Oliveira at the Valencia test day – Image provided by Motorsport Images
Of course, the achieved times of the tests are rather irrelevant. A fourth place in the first outing on a new bike, however, shows the potential of the Aprilia-Oliveira package.
The RNF team will run with the Valencia engine specification next season. Whether there will be updates to the chassis or other components in the course of the year remains to be seen.
