Miguel Oliveira returns to the Red Bull KTM Ajo team for 2017, but this time in the intermediate class and looking to make some big inroads in Moto2™. motogp.com caught up with the Portuguese rider at the first test of the year in Valencia – where he topped the timsheets - to talk testing, the team, and goals for the season ahead.
Miguel Oliveira: “The conditions were a little bit windy but overall it was a positive day, to ride the bike and get the feeling back. Get comfortable with the bike because it had some small changes. But overall it was a good day. We didn’t make any updates to the chassis so it was just getting back to the feeling of riding again, and having good confidence.”
Also on the agenda for 2017 is getting back into the feeling of riding for Red Bull KTM Ajo, after the relationship saw Oliveira runner-up in the Moto3™ Championship in 2015 and a multiple race winner. So how does it feel to be back?
MO44: “It feels great. This was the team where I had the best moments of my career. And now it’s down to hard work and trying to repeat it!”
After a year of learning in the intermediate class as a rookie, getting back into the front group is the target for 2017 – and, if possible, getting back on the top step.
MO44: “It’s a bit soon to talk but we’ll have quite a competitive year. A lot of riders are very fast and fighting for victories. I’d like to be one of them and we’re working hard to make this project successful.”