For the second time in the still young 2023 MotoGP season, Miguel Oliveira was involved in an accident. At the season opener in Portimao (Portugal), Marc Marquez crashed into his side with his Honda. Oliveira sustained bruises on his right hip. He had to skip the Argentine Grand Prix.
And now it caught the Portuguese again at the Spanish Grand Prix in Jerez. After the start of Sunday’s race, Fabio Quartararo (Yamaha) was wedged between Oliveira and Marco Bezzecchi (VR46-Ducati) on the approach to Turn 2.
It touched. Quartararo and Oliveira, who was on the wing, fell into the gravel trap. While Quartararo was unhurt except for pain in his right leg and was present at the restart, Oliveira dislocated his left shoulder.
The driver from the RNF Aprilia team was first treated in the medical center on the track and then taken to a hospital in Jerez de la Frontera for further checks. Some team members also visited him.
“Luck is knocking on the door again”
During these thorough investigations, a larger injury than originally thought was discovered. A small fracture of the left humerus was found. Oliveira will have further tests done this week.
“This beginning of the year is far from what I had imagined,” writes Oliveira on ‘Instagram’. “Luck was knocking on the door again and the result was a dislocated shoulder. Have faith and patience in recovery and looking ahead!”
Whether the 28-year-old will be able to take part in the French Grand Prix in Le Mans in two weeks’ time is completely open at the moment. At Monday’s test in Jerez, Oliveira was replaced by Aprilia test rider Lorenzo Savadori, who is also a possible replacement.