Miguel Oliveira delivered a strong performance at the Misano race, securing ninth place and marking his second consecutive top-10 finish after Barcelona. The Portuguese rider credited his choice of the medium rear tyre for providing the balance and consistency needed to achieve this result.
Strategic Tyre Choice and a Clean Start Boost Oliveira’s Race Pace
Oliveira’s decision to use the medium rear tyre was a critical factor in maintaining grip throughout the race weekend.
“After yesterday’s Sprint, we were confident that the medium rear could give us a better grip balance,”
Oliveira explained.
“We confirmed that in warm-up and also in the race. It was a positive day.”
Unlike the previous day’s event, Oliveira executed a flawless start, which prevented him from losing position in the early laps.
“A clean start today, not losing too much time early on, really helped me set my pace,”
he said.
Despite this, the Yamaha machine still showed some weaknesses, especially during braking where tyre vibrations remained an issue.
“The vibration on the tyre on entry is still there,”
Oliveira admitted.
“But overall, it was a solid race.”
Challenging Wind Conditions Tested Rider’s Adaptability
The race was further complicated by gusty winds affecting stability at key track sections. Oliveira described the conditions, saying,
“This afternoon I felt the wind picking up, especially into Turn 1 — it was kind of sideways. Once you pass the big tent on the right, there was a gust. Also in Turns 11 and 12 it got harder to manage, but after two or three laps I adapted.”
Nevertheless, grip levels on the Misano surface remained reliable throughout, helping Oliveira maintain steady lap times. “No big issue,” he noted.
“There was some drop on the tyre, but lap times stayed constant as the fuel load went down. Misano is always good for grip and tyres.”
Physical Effort and Mental Resilience Define Oliveira’s Race
After completing 27 laps, Oliveira reflected on the physical toll of handling the bike, which demands a lot from the rider due to its demanding nature, especially in changing direction.
“The bike is very physical, especially in changing direction,”
he admitted.
“I feel tired of course, but yeah, just gotta hit the gym. And eat some steak, I don’t know,”
he said with a smile.
Looking to the upcoming day, Oliveira anticipated a lighter schedule focused primarily on technical adjustments.
“For me it will be very simple — a few electronic things to test, and that’s it,”
he said.
Dealing with Yamaha’s 2025 Exclusion While Maintaining Focus
Amid this strong run of form, Oliveira continues to confront the challenge of Yamaha’s announcement that he will not be part of their 2025 lineup. When questioned about whether this decision was frustrating given his solid performance, he responded with a pointed remark,
“Frustrating for me? You think so? Or for my bosses? I don’t know. Ask them.”
His statement highlights the complicated dynamic between on-track results and the business aspects of MotoGP. Despite this uncertainty, Oliveira remains determined to prove his competitiveness, calmly staying within the top 10 in demanding race conditions while showing resilience in the face of off-track challenges.
