Miguel Oliveira is among the unluckiest MotoGP riders over the last 12 months, and he just can’t seem to catch a break.
The Portuguese star fractured his wrist at Mandalika in September 2024, ending his season early. He returned to action earlier this year, but crashed in the Gran Premio de Argentina Sprint, forcing him off the bike for two months.
Miguel has crashed seven times in sprint and GP races over the past 12 months, his latest coming last weekend as he returned from injury. While the fans expected the best of the Portuguese rider, his doctor, Gonzalo Morais Sarmento, stated that we will only see Miguel at 100% in the Italian or Netherlands Grand Prix.
The Prima Pramac rider was adamant to prove his doctor wrong, and went out hard in the early stages of the French Grand Prix. He was comfortably inside the top 10 at the business end of the race, before a sharp turn sent the five-time winner careening into the asphalt eight laps from home.
Oliveira escaped that tumble without major injury and managed to see the bright side, calling the weekend a success because he made it back onto his bike.
MotoGP British GP
The next step is completing a race, and “Falcao” will set his sights on crossing the line at the Tissot Grand Prix of the United Kingdom at Silverstone Circuit this weekend.
Miguel returns to a familiar track where he earned his best result in the last 24 months, back in 2023. He held on for fourth place in the Sunday Grand Prix behind Aleix Espargaró, Francesco Bagnaia, and Brad Binder. However, his visit to the Isles in 2024 ended early after he slid into his teammate Raul Fernandez on the first lap.
While his big-picture goals of competing for a championship will need to wait until 2026, the Portuguese racer would love to bring some sparkle back to a career that looked so promising a few years back.
Moto 2 and Moto 3 Success
Top-3 runs in the Moto 2 Championship in 2017 and 2018, including three wins in each season, increased the hype around the Portuguese rider. He then won a pair of races and finished ninth overall in MotoGP in 2020. Miguel enjoyed further success in 2022, when he logged two more victories.
His MotoGP record reads five wins and seven podiums in seven years on the circuit. The man from Almada knows how to win, he just needs to rediscover his confidence.
Final Thoughts
Miguel Oliveira has only broken into the top 10 once since the 2024 United Kingdom GP, ending in 10th at the Emilia-Romagna GP last year.
Despite the recent issues, Oliveira is still in his racing prime and capable of getting back on track, literally and figuratively. Hopefully, the road ahead is brighter for the Prima Pramac team member than it has been over the last 12 months.
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MotoGP Daily Fantasy Sports playing has gained traction among motorsports enthusiasts. This gameplay allows you to immerse yourself directly in the excitement. It enables you to pick top riders and compete in contests that are determined based on the riders’ real-life performances. MotoGP DFS is more prominent in Texas, even more so since traditional sports …
Francesco Bagnaia has signaled he may leave Ducati at the end of his contract, saying he has “great opportunities” and that he “will decide very soon.” He said he has been presented with several potential paths, including Yamaha, Aprilia, and Honda, and stressed he is not inclined to accept a satellite Ducati seat, such as with VR46. He wants to remain a factory frontrunner. One outlet reported he has resigned himself to leaving Ducati for 2027, while the Italian team has not publicly confirmed his status.
A decline in results has sharpened the speculation. Bagnaia finished fifth in the 2025 riders’ standings, his worst ranking since 2020, while teammate Marc Márquez produced a dominant season, winning 11 of 18 races and securing the title despite missing the final rounds. Ducati is widely reported to be prioritizing Márquez’s contract renewal, and several outlets say the factory is actively considering KTM’s Pedro Acosta as a potential partner for Márquez in 2027. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali acknowledged Acosta is among the riders under review and said final line‑up decisions will follow internal deliberations and Márquez’s contract talks. Some reports suggest that Ducati is not offering Bagnaia a works extension.
The wider market and pre‑season testing have added momentum to transfer talk. Aprilia re‑signed Marco Bezzecchi but left its second 2027 factory seat open. CEO Massimo Rivola said the team is checking the market, but praised Bagnaia’s speed at the Sepang test, where the Italian posted strong sprint‑simulation times and said he felt more comfortable and consistent in testing. With teams preparing for an expected move to 850cc machinery in 2027 and a broader grid reshuffle, those performances, plus reports Ducati could still find Bagnaia a place elsewhere on the grid, have intensified speculation.
Nicolo Bulega wants a full-time MotoGP ride in 2027, but his pathway is far from certain. He is Ducati’s test and reserve rider and publicly insists he deserves a 2027 MotoGP seat, and Ducati does not share that view, creating a public disagreement about his immediate future. Bulega made his MotoGP debut at the end of 2025 as Marc Márquez’s injury replacement and scored two Sunday points in Portugal and Valencia, the only Sunday points Ducati scored while Márquez was out. His contract with Aruba expires this year, and several reports say most Desmosedici seats already appear booked as Ducati pursues different plans, which shrinks his realistic MotoGP options unless Ducati changes course or other teams open places.
Commentators have pointed to alternative routes, including a move linked to Trackhouse and interest from Aprilia. An article suggested Aprilia should target the Ducati-backed Bulega for 2027, potentially routed through Trackhouse, noting his relatively faster adaptation to Pirelli tires as a technical asset and as a way to deny Ducati a development resource. Journalist Giovanni Zamagni has suggested Trackhouse boss Davide Brivio could champion Bulega and that Bulega might line up alongside Enea Bastianini at Trackhouse. A factory Ducati seat looks closed since Marc Márquez and Pedro Acosta are signed for 2027, and VR46 appears unlikely because Fermin Aldeguer is locked in and Fabio Di Giannantonio is expected to keep his seat. Bulega has been linked with Gresini, but Zamagni and others argue Gresini would probably avoid running two rookies in 2027. His manager has said offers are limited because Ducati-affiliated seats are largely occupied by VR46 and Gresini. The market is crowded, with Joan Mir, Luca Marini and several Moto2 prospects also in contention, and Ai Ogura confirmed at Yamaha for 2027.
MotoGP will undergo a major technical overhaul in 2027, with 850cc engines, reduced aerodynamics, a ban on ride-height devices and a switch to Pirelli tires, changes that could reshape team priorities and rider lineups. Bulega has been working on Ducati’s 850cc development while racing in WorldSBK, and his WorldSBK form this season has been strong: he opened the campaign with six wins in six races and leads the championship. One report noted he is not due to test Ducati’s new 850cc bike until at least June. Ultimately, whether Bulega moves to MotoGP in 2027 will depend on final team decisions, seat availability and how the 2027 technical changes affect team strategy.
Miguel Oliveira Fights To Get Back on Track
Miguel Oliveira is among the unluckiest MotoGP riders over the last 12 months, and he just can’t seem to catch a break.
The Portuguese star fractured his wrist at Mandalika in September 2024, ending his season early. He returned to action earlier this year, but crashed in the Gran Premio de Argentina Sprint, forcing him off the bike for two months.
Seven Crashes in 12 Months
Miguel has crashed seven times in sprint and GP races over the past 12 months, his latest coming last weekend as he returned from injury. While the fans expected the best of the Portuguese rider, his doctor, Gonzalo Morais Sarmento, stated that we will only see Miguel at 100% in the Italian or Netherlands Grand Prix.
The Prima Pramac rider was adamant to prove his doctor wrong, and went out hard in the early stages of the French Grand Prix. He was comfortably inside the top 10 at the business end of the race, before a sharp turn sent the five-time winner careening into the asphalt eight laps from home.
Oliveira escaped that tumble without major injury and managed to see the bright side, calling the weekend a success because he made it back onto his bike.
MotoGP British GP
The next step is completing a race, and “Falcao” will set his sights on crossing the line at the Tissot Grand Prix of the United Kingdom at Silverstone Circuit this weekend.
Miguel returns to a familiar track where he earned his best result in the last 24 months, back in 2023. He held on for fourth place in the Sunday Grand Prix behind Aleix Espargaró, Francesco Bagnaia, and Brad Binder. However, his visit to the Isles in 2024 ended early after he slid into his teammate Raul Fernandez on the first lap.
While his big-picture goals of competing for a championship will need to wait until 2026, the Portuguese racer would love to bring some sparkle back to a career that looked so promising a few years back.
Moto 2 and Moto 3 Success
Top-3 runs in the Moto 2 Championship in 2017 and 2018, including three wins in each season, increased the hype around the Portuguese rider. He then won a pair of races and finished ninth overall in MotoGP in 2020. Miguel enjoyed further success in 2022, when he logged two more victories.
His MotoGP record reads five wins and seven podiums in seven years on the circuit. The man from Almada knows how to win, he just needs to rediscover his confidence.
Final Thoughts
Miguel Oliveira has only broken into the top 10 once since the 2024 United Kingdom GP, ending in 10th at the Emilia-Romagna GP last year.
Despite the recent issues, Oliveira is still in his racing prime and capable of getting back on track, literally and figuratively. Hopefully, the road ahead is brighter for the Prima Pramac team member than it has been over the last 12 months.
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Bagnaia Eyes Ducati Exit, Considers Yamaha, Aprilia, Honda
Francesco Bagnaia has signaled he may leave Ducati at the end of his contract, saying he has “great opportunities” and that he “will decide very soon.” He said he has been presented with several potential paths, including Yamaha, Aprilia, and Honda, and stressed he is not inclined to accept a satellite Ducati seat, such as with VR46. He wants to remain a factory frontrunner. One outlet reported he has resigned himself to leaving Ducati for 2027, while the Italian team has not publicly confirmed his status.
A decline in results has sharpened the speculation. Bagnaia finished fifth in the 2025 riders’ standings, his worst ranking since 2020, while teammate Marc Márquez produced a dominant season, winning 11 of 18 races and securing the title despite missing the final rounds. Ducati is widely reported to be prioritizing Márquez’s contract renewal, and several outlets say the factory is actively considering KTM’s Pedro Acosta as a potential partner for Márquez in 2027. Ducati CEO Claudio Domenicali acknowledged Acosta is among the riders under review and said final line‑up decisions will follow internal deliberations and Márquez’s contract talks. Some reports suggest that Ducati is not offering Bagnaia a works extension.
The wider market and pre‑season testing have added momentum to transfer talk. Aprilia re‑signed Marco Bezzecchi but left its second 2027 factory seat open. CEO Massimo Rivola said the team is checking the market, but praised Bagnaia’s speed at the Sepang test, where the Italian posted strong sprint‑simulation times and said he felt more comfortable and consistent in testing. With teams preparing for an expected move to 850cc machinery in 2027 and a broader grid reshuffle, those performances, plus reports Ducati could still find Bagnaia a place elsewhere on the grid, have intensified speculation.
2027 rules and Ducati line-up threaten Bulega’s MotoGP bid
Nicolo Bulega wants a full-time MotoGP ride in 2027, but his pathway is far from certain. He is Ducati’s test and reserve rider and publicly insists he deserves a 2027 MotoGP seat, and Ducati does not share that view, creating a public disagreement about his immediate future. Bulega made his MotoGP debut at the end of 2025 as Marc Márquez’s injury replacement and scored two Sunday points in Portugal and Valencia, the only Sunday points Ducati scored while Márquez was out. His contract with Aruba expires this year, and several reports say most Desmosedici seats already appear booked as Ducati pursues different plans, which shrinks his realistic MotoGP options unless Ducati changes course or other teams open places.
Commentators have pointed to alternative routes, including a move linked to Trackhouse and interest from Aprilia. An article suggested Aprilia should target the Ducati-backed Bulega for 2027, potentially routed through Trackhouse, noting his relatively faster adaptation to Pirelli tires as a technical asset and as a way to deny Ducati a development resource. Journalist Giovanni Zamagni has suggested Trackhouse boss Davide Brivio could champion Bulega and that Bulega might line up alongside Enea Bastianini at Trackhouse. A factory Ducati seat looks closed since Marc Márquez and Pedro Acosta are signed for 2027, and VR46 appears unlikely because Fermin Aldeguer is locked in and Fabio Di Giannantonio is expected to keep his seat. Bulega has been linked with Gresini, but Zamagni and others argue Gresini would probably avoid running two rookies in 2027. His manager has said offers are limited because Ducati-affiliated seats are largely occupied by VR46 and Gresini. The market is crowded, with Joan Mir, Luca Marini and several Moto2 prospects also in contention, and Ai Ogura confirmed at Yamaha for 2027.
MotoGP will undergo a major technical overhaul in 2027, with 850cc engines, reduced aerodynamics, a ban on ride-height devices and a switch to Pirelli tires, changes that could reshape team priorities and rider lineups. Bulega has been working on Ducati’s 850cc development while racing in WorldSBK, and his WorldSBK form this season has been strong: he opened the campaign with six wins in six races and leads the championship. One report noted he is not due to test Ducati’s new 850cc bike until at least June. Ultimately, whether Bulega moves to MotoGP in 2027 will depend on final team decisions, seat availability and how the 2027 technical changes affect team strategy.