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.
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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.
Heavy Thursday flooding at the Goiania circuit and a sinkhole discovered after qualifying disrupted the weekend and forced lengthy repairs, delaying the program by roughly 75–90 minutes. The interruption pushed the Sprint back and moved Moto2 qualifying to Sunday; late resurfacing work and visible surface failure on the pit straight further delayed the event.
Race Direction cut the feature race from 31 to 23 laps minutes before the start after track degradation became apparent. Parts of the circuit were reported to be breaking up and striking riders, prompting safety concerns and an on-camera confrontation between Aprilia team principal Davide Tardozzi and MotoGP boss Carlos Ezpeleta. The lap reduction came after riders had already locked in tire choices, a change teams and riders said affected strategy and outcomes.
Despite the disruption, Marco Bezzecchi led from the start of the shortened grand prix and took victory, holding off teammate Jorge Martín to give Aprilia a 1–2. Bezzecchi’s winning margin was about 3.2 seconds; it was reported as his second win of 2026 and extended his championship lead to 11 points. Some outlets described the result as Aprilia’s first premier-class one-two, while others noted it was the manufacturer’s fourth consecutive MotoGP win. The podium was completed by polesitter Fabio Di Giannantonio, who held off Marc Márquez—Márquez having won the Sprint the previous day. Several high-profile riders crashed out during the grand prix, including Jack Miller, Francesco Bagnaia (lap 11), Joan Mir and Brad Binder. Teams and riders said the weekend was defined as much by unusual circuit failures and extreme tire degradation as by the on-track contest. Jorge Martín said the hole was “off the racing line” and that “we could race even with the hole,” but mixed conditions—from heavy rain and flooding early in the weekend to scorching temperatures during the race—complicated set-up and tire strategy. With safety concerns and post-race controversy still under discussion, the championship moves on to the next round as teams assess the circuit damage and the decisions taken in Goiania.
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has unveiled the official layout for Adelaide’s new A$96 million street circuit, which is set to host MotoGP from 2027 and has been described as the world’s first city-center MotoGP race. The 4.13-kilometer track has 15 corners and reuses sections of Adelaide’s former Formula One circuit, including Stag Corner, Rundle Road, Brewery Bend and Dequetteville Terrace. MotoGP said the layout was developed with the FIM and local partners to meet modern safety standards while accounting for community and environmental impacts.
Simulations of the circuit project MotoGP bikes reaching speeds of up to 343 km/h, with premier-class lap times of about 1 minute 26 seconds. The redevelopment is expected to be completed around November 2027. Organizers said the plan is intended to deliver an exciting but safe race that also leaves a legacy through upgrades to parklands and public spaces and protections for green space.
The project includes the removal of 42 significant trees and 335 other trees, the relocation of 88 trees and A$15 million for habitat restoration. Malinauskas said 95% of the 8,895 trees in the precinct will remain untouched, and 10 new trees will be planted for each tree removed. The plan drew opposition from some locals worried about habitat loss. Malinauskas said the event is expected to return annually through 2032, draw tens of thousands of visitors and showcase South Australia to a global audience of more than 630 million people.
LCR Honda confirmed that Cal Crutchlow will continue as Johann Zarco’s replacement for the British MotoGP at Silverstone on Aug. 7-9, extending his stay in the Castrol Honda LCR seat. The race will give Crutchlow a home Grand Prix appearance, and if he starts, he will become the first British rider on the premier-class British Grand Prix grid since his 2021 Silverstone substitute ride. Britain has not had a full-time MotoGP rider since Crutchlow retired at the end of 2020.
Zarco has been sidelined by knee injuries suffered at the Catalan Grand Prix in May, and after recent medical checks he decided not to have surgery. No return date has been announced, although September has been mentioned as a possible target. Crutchlow has been filling in since Mugello, and Silverstone would be his sixth consecutive race weekend on the bike after appearances in Hungary, Czechia, the Netherlands and Germany. His best results as a stand-in have been 16th place at Balaton Park and at Assen, and he has not scored a point.
Crutchlow is expected to share the LCR garage again with Diogo Moreira, who is 15th in the championship and has a best finish of sixth in Hungary. Jack Miller called Crutchlow’s 2026 return “mind-blowing” and praised his training and fitness, saying the veteran has had to adapt to new techniques and machinery in a MotoGP class that has changed during his time away.
The Spanish Grand Prix delivered a race for the ages, with reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia emerging victorious after a thrilling duel with Marc Márquez. The Ducati rider showcased his championship mettle, fending off a resurgent Márquez in the closing stages to claim his second win of the season. Bagnaia’s triumph, coupled with championship leader …
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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Sinkhole and Track Failure Delay Goiania MotoGP; Laps Cut
Heavy Thursday flooding at the Goiania circuit and a sinkhole discovered after qualifying disrupted the weekend and forced lengthy repairs, delaying the program by roughly 75–90 minutes. The interruption pushed the Sprint back and moved Moto2 qualifying to Sunday; late resurfacing work and visible surface failure on the pit straight further delayed the event.
Race Direction cut the feature race from 31 to 23 laps minutes before the start after track degradation became apparent. Parts of the circuit were reported to be breaking up and striking riders, prompting safety concerns and an on-camera confrontation between Aprilia team principal Davide Tardozzi and MotoGP boss Carlos Ezpeleta. The lap reduction came after riders had already locked in tire choices, a change teams and riders said affected strategy and outcomes.
Despite the disruption, Marco Bezzecchi led from the start of the shortened grand prix and took victory, holding off teammate Jorge Martín to give Aprilia a 1–2. Bezzecchi’s winning margin was about 3.2 seconds; it was reported as his second win of 2026 and extended his championship lead to 11 points. Some outlets described the result as Aprilia’s first premier-class one-two, while others noted it was the manufacturer’s fourth consecutive MotoGP win. The podium was completed by polesitter Fabio Di Giannantonio, who held off Marc Márquez—Márquez having won the Sprint the previous day. Several high-profile riders crashed out during the grand prix, including Jack Miller, Francesco Bagnaia (lap 11), Joan Mir and Brad Binder. Teams and riders said the weekend was defined as much by unusual circuit failures and extreme tire degradation as by the on-track contest. Jorge Martín said the hole was “off the racing line” and that “we could race even with the hole,” but mixed conditions—from heavy rain and flooding early in the weekend to scorching temperatures during the race—complicated set-up and tire strategy. With safety concerns and post-race controversy still under discussion, the championship moves on to the next round as teams assess the circuit damage and the decisions taken in Goiania.
Adelaide unveils $96m MotoGP street circuit for 2027 debut
South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has unveiled the official layout for Adelaide’s new A$96 million street circuit, which is set to host MotoGP from 2027 and has been described as the world’s first city-center MotoGP race. The 4.13-kilometer track has 15 corners and reuses sections of Adelaide’s former Formula One circuit, including Stag Corner, Rundle Road, Brewery Bend and Dequetteville Terrace. MotoGP said the layout was developed with the FIM and local partners to meet modern safety standards while accounting for community and environmental impacts.
Simulations of the circuit project MotoGP bikes reaching speeds of up to 343 km/h, with premier-class lap times of about 1 minute 26 seconds. The redevelopment is expected to be completed around November 2027. Organizers said the plan is intended to deliver an exciting but safe race that also leaves a legacy through upgrades to parklands and public spaces and protections for green space.
The project includes the removal of 42 significant trees and 335 other trees, the relocation of 88 trees and A$15 million for habitat restoration. Malinauskas said 95% of the 8,895 trees in the precinct will remain untouched, and 10 new trees will be planted for each tree removed. The plan drew opposition from some locals worried about habitat loss. Malinauskas said the event is expected to return annually through 2032, draw tens of thousands of visitors and showcase South Australia to a global audience of more than 630 million people.
Crutchlow stays in for Zarco at Silverstone MotoGP
LCR Honda confirmed that Cal Crutchlow will continue as Johann Zarco’s replacement for the British MotoGP at Silverstone on Aug. 7-9, extending his stay in the Castrol Honda LCR seat. The race will give Crutchlow a home Grand Prix appearance, and if he starts, he will become the first British rider on the premier-class British Grand Prix grid since his 2021 Silverstone substitute ride. Britain has not had a full-time MotoGP rider since Crutchlow retired at the end of 2020.
Zarco has been sidelined by knee injuries suffered at the Catalan Grand Prix in May, and after recent medical checks he decided not to have surgery. No return date has been announced, although September has been mentioned as a possible target. Crutchlow has been filling in since Mugello, and Silverstone would be his sixth consecutive race weekend on the bike after appearances in Hungary, Czechia, the Netherlands and Germany. His best results as a stand-in have been 16th place at Balaton Park and at Assen, and he has not scored a point.
Crutchlow is expected to share the LCR garage again with Diogo Moreira, who is 15th in the championship and has a best finish of sixth in Hungary. Jack Miller called Crutchlow’s 2026 return “mind-blowing” and praised his training and fitness, saying the veteran has had to adapt to new techniques and machinery in a MotoGP class that has changed during his time away.
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The Spanish Grand Prix delivered a race for the ages, with reigning world champion Francesco Bagnaia emerging victorious after a thrilling duel with Marc Márquez. The Ducati rider showcased his championship mettle, fending off a resurgent Márquez in the closing stages to claim his second win of the season. Bagnaia’s triumph, coupled with championship leader …