MotoGP Austin G2: Miguel Oliveira (Aprilia/8) and Raul Fernandez (Aprilia/15) stay on the defensive

RNF Aprilia riders Miguel Oliveira, returning from injury, and Raul Fernandez remain in the soft belly of the peloton they would like to leave to rise to the top. In Austin, this Saturday, ambition was thwarted during qualifying with 15th place for the Portuguese and only 20th for the Spaniard. During the Sprint, only the ex-KTM can claim to have returned the points with an eighth place which is always better than the brand’s official Maverick Viñales tenth. Raul Fernandez, on the other hand, is getting impatient…

The eighth and fifteenth places constitute the record for Miguel Oliveira And Raul Fernandez at the end of the Sprint race Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, round three of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship.

Take advantage of the potentialAprilia RS-GP In the race, the Portuguese managed to regain several places after a disappointing qualifier, and gain important points in the world rankings. On the other hand, the Spaniard went less well, suffering particularly from the high ambient temperatures that crippled the potential of his front tyre. To my great regret, he was unable to launch attacks on Takaaki Nakagami And Franco Morbidelli.

**Miguel Oliveira: At this moment I still don’t feel completely comfortable »**

” Starting 15th wasn’t ideal, but we were able to make the most of the situation before us. previous comments KTM back from injury. ” We did what we had to do, which was to earn places and score points. It would be nice to confirm, or even improve, all this Sunday, but it will take Bike mastery And work on some things “.

He specifies: ” Right now, I still don’t feel completely comfortable, which means I can’t take advantage of the grip of the new tires. Sunday, we’ll start from the 15th So there will be a lot of work to be done “.

Raul Fernandez He added: To be honest, this Saturday was tough. We have taken positive steps forward and I felt really comfortable on the bike. But the problem was in the Sprint, overtaking is not easy here. Sometime you are late Takaaki Nakagami and Franco Morbidelli And I thought I could go after them and beat them. However, once I got close, there was nothing I could do. Furthermore it, All of this led me to suddenly overheat the front tire. I’m frustrated that I didn’t get a better result “.

And he concludes: I’m starting to understand the bike, but the results are not showing. Maybe I should be Quieter for results to show, but I am very angry because with such small details we cannot get better results. If you start from one of the three front rows, the race is completely different. completely.”