Miguel Oliveira is set to make his comeback at this weekend’s MotoGP French Grand Prix after missing four out of the five races in 2025 due to injury. Pramac Yamaha confirmed his return on 5 May, following a full recovery from a dislocated sternoclavicular ligament sustained at the Argentinian Grand Prix. Oliveira will undergo a mandatory medical check at the Le Mans circuit on Thursday to finalize his participation.
Oliveira’s absence had left a gap in the Pramac Yamaha lineup, with test rider Augusto Fernandez stepping in alongside Jack Miller since the Grand Prix of the Americas in April. Fernandez competed in the US, Qatar, and Spain rounds, achieving a best finish of 13th place in Texas. Oliveira’s injury occurred during a crash in the Sprint at the Argentinian Grand Prix involving Fermin Aldeguer, who publicly apologized for the incident.
Following the injury, an MRI conducted in Milan last week revealed a complete recovery of the ligament, according to a statement from Pramac Yamaha. This positive medical update has paved the way for Oliveira’s return to racing, although the French Grand Prix track at Le Mans has historically been challenging for him. Throughout his Grand Prix career, Oliveira has yet to reach the podium at Le Mans across any class, and his performances there in recent years have been mixed.
In the premier class, Oliveira earned points last at Le Mans in the 2020 wet race by finishing sixth, while his rookie season in 2019 saw a 15th place finish. Unfortunately, he did not complete races at Le Mans in 2021 and 2022, missed the 2023 event due to injury, and retired from last year’s race. His return this weekend carries high stakes, as a strong showing could reignite his momentum for the rest of the season.
The return of Miguel Oliveira is significant not only for Pramac Yamaha but also for fans eagerly anticipating his performance after a demanding recovery period. His participation in the French Grand Prix could impact team dynamics and championship standings moving forward, making this race a crucial moment in Oliveira’s 2025 MotoGP campaign.
