Oliveira Update: MotoGP Comeback In Mugello Still in jeopardy
Categories: MotoGP
In 2023 Miguel Oliveira has already been missing twice due to injury. Even a MotoGP comeback in three weeks in Mugello remains in doubt.
Five rounds into the new season and Portugal star Miguel Oliveira has already missed two full race weekends.
Twice the Portuguese was involved in accidents through no fault of his own, from both of which he emerged injured. At his home Grand Prix in Portimao, Marc Marquez took him out, and in Jerez, Spain, it was an incident with Fabio Quartararo and Marco Bezzecchi in which the 28-year-old was injured.
Speaking at the French Grand Prix in Le Mans, RNF-Aprilia team manager Razlan Razali spoke about the situation. “It’s good that he can already train on the bicycle again. He is making decent progress.”
However, despite the good news, the team remains skeptical about a possible comeback at the next Grand Prix in Mugello.
It is not Oliveira’s first shoulder injury, accordingly, his body needs a longer recovery phase.
“It’s not his first shoulder injury. But we hope for the best. But I am skeptical that he will return at Mugello,” Razali told motogp.com.
"You think you've hit rock bottom, but it gets worse"
Currently, both of the team’s regular riders are out of action after Oliveira teammate Raul Fernandez withdrew from the French Grand Prix following his arm pump surgery a week before.
Currently, both of the team’s regular riders are out of action after Oliveira teammate Raul Fernandez withdrew from the French Grand Prix following his arm pump surgery a week before. Only Olivera substitute and Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori competed in France.
“When you think you’ve hit rock bottom, it gets worse,” commented Razali on Raul Fernandez’s early exit from the Grand Prix in Le Mans. “Somehow, though, we expected it.”
