Oliveira undergoes successful shoulder operation

Portuguese rider is hoping to be back in action at February’s 2020 Sepang Test

Red Bull KTM Tech 3’s Miguel Oliveira has undergone successful shoulder surgery after missing the Australian and Malaysian GPs.

Oliveira has, according to Team Manager Herve Poncharal, been suffering with the problem since his Silverstone crash. The impressive MotoGP™ rookie also suffered a monster crash at Phillip Island and, after having tried to ride on Friday at Sepang, the decision was made to send Oliveira back to Europe to have an operation on his right shoulder.

On social media, both Oliveira and Red Bull KTM Tech 3 have confirmed the surgery went well. And speaking on Sunday at the Malaysian GP, Poncharal confirmed that Oliveira will miss the Valencia GP and initial 2020 tests, with the hope of the KTM man recovering in time for the February 2020 Sepang Tests.

“Regarding Miguel, as most of you have been informed, he is having an operation today in Europe on his right shoulder injured in Silverstone, following a crash,” said Poncharal on Sunday in Sepang. “We are just hoping that everything is going to be fine. That was by far the best solution and we know he will be fully recovered within maximum two months, so he will miss Valencia, but he will be absolutely fit for the first tests in Sepang, which was the main point.

“I’d like to thank him a lot, because since Silverstone he’s riding in a lot of pain, he never gave up. He didn’t want to talk too much about it, but I know he was in a lot of pain, which is always a handicap and Miguel is a true gentleman, a real fast MotoGP rider. His rookie season was not easy, but he showed speed and a huge commitment, so we just can’t wait to see him back on the bike with full fitness.”

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