Miguel Oliveira places outside the Top 15 at Le Mans.

The unfavourable weather conditions encountered by the Red Bull KTM Ajo Moto2 riders throughout this weekend at Le Mans had a big effect on race day. With the asphalt completely dry and higher temperatures than on previous days, Miguel Oliveira had to prepare an unfamiliar setup for the KTM’s first race at the French track. In the end, Oliveira had to settle for 17th position.

Oliveira made a good start, maintaining his starting position of seventeenth. He was just ahead of teammate Cardus, who had dropped five places. From that moment on, both were in the same group, in the fight for thirteenth.

As the laps went by, Oliveira rose to the front of the group, but could not keep up the pace, falling back several positions.

Oliveira eventually crossed the line seventeenth, finishing outside the points for the first time this season.

Following the French GP, Miguel Oliveira is fourth in the overall standings with 59 points. The next Moto2 World Championship round will take place at Mugello, Italy, between June 2nd-4th.

44 Miguel Oliveira:

“This weekend at Le Mans we have encountered more difficulties than normal. I wasn’t able to ride comfortably, with my riding style.  I took a while to understand how to ride the bike, and it is a very short circuit with very low corner speeds. In the race I lost confidence with the bike; the start was tough but in the final stages I improved a lot, although by then I was already too far back. I tried to learn from others to see where to improve, but it was very difficult. Now we have to move on to Mugello. It’s just one bad race and we will continue to work hard, as I think this is one of those moments that remind us that this is a new project and we must work from scratch at every race. I thank the team, who have always done a great job, and we will continue to fight to the fullest.”