He ’ s leading the new Trackhouse Racing squad , a largely similar structure to his RNF team of a year ago . And he ’ s been given the latest 2024 spec Aprilia RS-GP as factory riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales .
Yet 2024 hasn ’ t quite gone to plan so far . Aprilia ’ s updated aerodynamics package has taken a while to understand . And Oliveira didn ’ t quite light up preseason , as he finished 18th at the Sepang test . Only a late improvement in Qatar saw him shoot up the standings to twelfth .
But Oliveira always saw this season – his sixth in the premier class – as far from straightforward . “ I see it ’ s going to be a challenge ,” said 29-year old during preseason testing . “ At the beginning we know we ’ ll face new challenges with the bike . different protocols to work on the bike , time for mechanics to adapt . Once we have the data for the bikes , it will be a good direction for the future .”
Few riders have endured a run of misfortune like Oliveira in 2023 , when he faced three separate injuries , two of which were the result of another rider ’ s crash . The winter break has allowed him to get back to his best levels . “ Physically I ’ m OK ,” he said . “ We ’ ve gone to the gym , run , cycle but until you get on the bike you can never be certain . The best training is on the MotoGP™ bike .”
After running year-old machinery through 2023 , Oliveira was delighted to learn late into last year he will have the latest RS-GP from the factory for this year . It ’ s a move he greatly appreciates . “ I feel very grateful for the effort they ’ ve made specially for this season ,” he said . “ It was not easy after everything that happened in Valencia to have a clear direction for the future , but to then produce two bikes plus the additional material . To arrive here with two bikes plus spares is a very big effort that I appreciate . My only wish is to pay back with results . That ’ s the only way they can appreciate my words ”.
On working with the latest RS-GP , Oliveira acknowledges it has taken a decent adaptation period . “ For sure it feels a lot different for me ,” he said . “ Once you add much more downforce that this bike has , the engine is a bit more powerful , just everything works different , the feedback is different . You need to readjust everything . I put my normal setting and rode the bike and you can clearly see it ’ s not there yet . We need to start working and analysing . But before we touch more we want to make sure and get the problems separated and come up with effective solutions .”
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