Miguel Oliveira to Make MotoGP Return in Barcelona For Aprilia Finale
Miguel Oliveira will make his final appearance for the Trackhouse Aprilia team at this weekend’s MotoGP finale in Barcelona
After missing the last five rounds due to a wrist fracture suffered during practice in Mandalike, Miguel Oliveira has returned in time to complete the 2024 MotoGP finale before switching to Pramac Yamaha.
Oliveira’s right wrist injury was caused by a traction control glitch which resulted in him crashing in FP1 before missing the remainder of the weekend.
The Portuguese rider endured a tough second season with Aprilia although he did manage a sprint race podium in Sachsenring earlier this season, a feat he failed to achieve at any stage in 2023.
But the soon-to-be Yamaha man has not finished inside the top five at any other stage in 2024 and the injury in Mandalika came at a time when other Aprilia riders have also struggled for form.
“I’m really excited to come back to racing in MotoGP,” Oliveira said. “My expectations are not very high because I don’t know how limited my wrist is until I get back on the bike and it’s a Grand Prix with mixed feelings for sure, but my aim is to leave the Trackhouse team on a high.
“We, obviously, will be racing to gather some hope and also funds for those affected by the catastrophic events in Valencia so overall - I’m looking forward to it!”
Oliveira is not the only big name set to depart Trackhouse Racing after this weekend, as team manager and former Grand Prix racer Wilco Zeelenberg will also leave the American outfit.
Oliveira will be replaced by Moto2 champion Ai Ogura for the post-race test which is set for next Tuesday and will take place in Barcelona, while Oliveira will be joined by Jack Miller for a debut aboard the Yamaha M1, following his switch across to Pramac from the factory Red Bull KTM team.
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After graduating with a sports journalism degree, Robert joined Crash.net to lead the WorldSBK coverage in 2021, while also providing MotoGP coverage. Fulfilling that role for over three years, Robert was able to put his knowledge about all things racing to the test.
