The Portuguese MotoGP rider, Miguel Oliveira, faced a harrowing ordeal during practice at Mandalika that led to a wrist injury. Oliveira, who rides for Trackhouse Racing, was participating in FP1 at the Indonesian GP when he lost control of his Aprilia RS-GP due to a short circuit, resulting in a fall at Turn 3-4. This incident left him with a fractured wrist, necessitating immediate surgery upon returning to Lisbon.
The Root Cause of the Crash
Speaking after the season, Oliveira disclosed that an electronics issue caused the highside crash that marred his final year with Trackhouse. He noted that a short circuit in the bike’s control unit led to the loss of all control systems, ultimately causing the fall onto the handlebars. Despite the unfortunate turn of events, Oliveira emphasized that the subsequent surgery and recovery went smoothly, allowing him to return to peak physical condition.
Road to Recovery and Reflections
Following the injury, Oliveira missed the remainder of the Indonesia round and the subsequent four races in Asia and Oceania. The setback was especially challenging for him, as he expressed disappointment over being sidelined for five consecutive races. However, he managed to make a comeback in the final round of the season in Barcelona, finishing 12th in the race.
Throughout his time at Aprilia’s satellite team, Oliveira faced technical and physical challenges, failing to secure a podium finish in his two-year tenure with the team. Despite the difficulties, he viewed this period as a valuable learning experience that would contribute to his growth as a rider. Oliveira acknowledged the struggles he encountered but remained optimistic about the positive impact it would have on his future endeavors.
In conclusion, Miguel Oliveira’s journey in MotoGP has been marked by resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. While his time at Trackhouse Racing presented its challenges, Oliveira remains determined to emerge stronger and more skilled as he looks ahead to new opportunities with the Pramac Yamaha team in 2025.