Oliveira likely handed first penalty of 2024 MotoGP season

During the opening lap of the sprint in Qatar on Saturday, a collision occurred that forced Miguel Oliveira, the Portuguese rider, and fellow Aprilia rider Aleix Espargaro out of the race. Oliveira ended up with a broken right scapula while Espargaro, despite fracturing his leg, has been cleared to race on Sunday.

However, Espargaro was penalized and deemed at fault. He will have to serve a long lap penalty at the next grand prix in which he is fit enough to compete.

Oliveira, on the other hand, has all but ruled himself out of racing at the next GP in Valencia, making the round in Qatar his comeback for the 2024 season.

Before the penalty notification, Oliveira expressed his disappointment, stating that it was a small racing incident. Unfortunately, the collision left him injured, leaving his future uncertain. He doesn’t believe surgery will be necessary for his injury but will require further evaluation.

Photo by: Gold and Goose / Motorsport Images

Miguel Oliveira, RNF MotoGP Racing

“I just put the bike straight to avoid him, but I couldn’t miss his rear wheel and unfortunately we crashed together,” Oliveira expressed, emphasizing the disappointment. “So, disappointed for that, but in the end it was a small race incident, a small misjudgement.”

With a string of unfortunate events throughout the season, Oliveira has been struggling with injuries. However, his determination to recover and come back stronger is evident in his optimistic attitude: “Once I get back home we’ll get a better look into it and see what’s ahead of me in recovery.”

As an eventful 2023 season comes to an end, Oliveira’s focus now shifts to regaining his form for the upcoming 2024 campaign in Qatar, marking his return to competitive racing.