Qatar MotoGP: Miguel Oliveira out until 2024: “This was my final lap”

Saturday’s shoulder injury in the Qatar Sprint means Miguel Oliveira won’t ride a MotoGP bike again until February’s Sepang test.
Miguel
Miguel

The RNF Aprilia rider has confirmed heꦚ will miss next weekend’s Valencia finale and the post-race test after suffering a broken right shoulder blade in the Saturday Sprint.

A similar injury for Enea Bastianini earlier this year took a recovery ♌time of two months.

The 🐈opening lap accident occurred when Oliveira hit the back of fellow Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro, leaving the Spaniard with a small fracture to his lower leg. Bas🐷tianini was also taken down, without injury, while Franco Morbidelli ran wide.

Oliveira’s punishing season thus ends as it began, having🌃 been injured when he was hit by Marc Marquez in the Portimao opener.

The five-time MotoGP race winner later dislocated and fractured his left shoulder when he was brought down by Fabio Quartararo’s bike at🐭 Jerez.

In toꦍtal, accidents, injuries and retirements mean Oliveira only saw the chequered flag in nine out of what will be 20♎ grands prix this year.

Oliveira has been given a Long Lap penalty to serve, for causing tꦐhe Saturday accident, upon his racing return in 2024.

“It was a race incident,” Oliveira said of Saturday’s clash. “Unfortunately, a crജash with an Aprilia team-mate, which really disappoints me.

“In turn six, I braked a little too late, Aleix probably braked a little bit too much. Once I saw I wಞas probably going to hit him, I just put the bike up straight to avoid him, but I couldn’t miss his rear wheel.

“Unfortunately, we crashed tog𓄧ether, which is disappointing. It was a misjudgeme🐻nt, which ended with both of us on the ground and both of us injured.

“I have a fractured scapula and don’t really know the extent of the injury yet. So on🌱ce I get home I will get a better look into i🀅t and see what’s really ahead of me in terms of recovery.

“It looks like I will not need surgery, but it takes a bit of time. I will unfortunat🍎ely miss the rest of the season, so this was my final lap.

“I had a little bit of everythinꦡg this season, it was no🐽t what I was expecting, but I think this could also build up some more character for next season. Hopefully next year is going to be better.”

"Miguel’s season has come to an unfortunate end,” added team manager Wilco Zeelenberg. “A꧅nyway, he will be fit for the Sepang test next year and in this moment, this is all that matters.”

Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori𒐪 will replace Olivei🥃ra in Valencia.

“With Miguel unable to ride, we have a replacement rider with Lorenzo Savadori where we will also have things to try and test for next season,” Zeelenberg ♑said.

Peter has been in🤪 the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is 🍰at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.

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