MotoGP, Oliveira "says no": no GASGAS, yes to Aprilia

Miguel Oliveira has decided on his future in MotoGP. The Portuguese rider, linked to the imminent Aprilia RNF project for a while already, had everyone in stand-by for half the summer, playing for time as the contract was worked out.

The factory KTM rider had received an offer to race with the RC16 again. The recently launched GASGAS, a brand linked to Tech3, was a valid option for him, but not a good enough reason to turn down the RS-GP. And so next year we’ll see him racing for Noale, for the satellite team of reference.

Oliveira: enough of the RC16, give me the RS-GP

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He didn’t say as much, but the message is clear. The 27-year old from Almado has practically always ridden for the Mattighofen manufacturer in the world championship, the victories scored in Moto3, Moto2 and MotoGP a mark of his success in every category, regardless of the engine size or colours.

The Tech3 team has already confirmed Pol Espargaró, while Hervé Poncharval was awaiting a response with regard to the second rider. A three-year contract was offered to Miguel, but he’s turned it down, keen for a change of air, atmosphere, and brand of reference.

And so here we are, for the news we had already pre-empted, although we were prepared for a last-minute shock. A flaming RS-GP for the ‘dentist’ then, so different from the RC16 he was used to. The author of the change will pair up with Raul Fernandez, while Aleix’s brother will be paired with another Fernandez, as Augusto moves up from the intermediate to the reigning class.

Translated by Heather Watson

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