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 he will miss next weekend’s Valencia fꦇinale 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 tꩵook 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. Bastianini 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 fract♊ured his left shoulder when he was brought down by Fabio Quartararo’s bike🐻 at Jerez.

In total, accid🎶ents, injuries and retirements mean Oliveira only saw the chequered fl⛎ag in nine out of what will be 20 grands prix this year.

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

“It was a race incident,” Oliveira said of Saturday’s clash. “Unfortunately, a crash wi🔯th an Aprilia team-mate, which 𒁏really disappoints me.

“In turn six, I brake꧂d a little too late, Aleix probably braked a little bit too much. Once I saw I was 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 together, which is disappointing. It was a misjudgement, 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 once I get home I will get 🐬a ꦅbetter look into it 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 unfortunately miss the rest of the season, so th💫is was my final🐎 lap.

“I had a little bit of everything this 𒀰season, it was not what I was expecting, but I think this could also build up some more character for next season. Hopefully next year is gꦉoing to be better.”

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

Aprilia test rider L✤orenzo Savadori ওwill replace Oliveira in Valencia.

“With Migu✱el unable to ride, we have a replacement rider with Lorenzo Savadori where we will also have things to trꦛy 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 sto🤡ry and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.

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