The roar of engines and the smell of fuel fill the air this weekend as MotoGP heads to Japan. Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira, representing Yamaha, is looking forward to making his mark. He hopes to build on his team’s recent strong performances. This 17th round of the season holds special meaning for him.
Oliveira has been on a good run lately. He secured ninth place in the last two races, both in Barcelona and San Marino. This momentum fuels his excitement for the Japanese Grand Prix. He considers it a unique event on the racing calendar.
“This race is truly special for me,” Oliveira stated, his words shared by Prima Pramac’s press office. “It’s not just that this is Yamaha’s home race, riding with Prima Pramac Yamaha. I also just love this country. I’m always happy to come back. Being here as a rider for a Japanese manufacturer makes everything even more meaningful.” Oliveira hails from Almada, and his connection to the event is clear.
Earlier today, Oliveira visited Yamaha’s racing department, known as YMR, in Iwata. He shared that he felt “the great enthusiasm of Yamaha employees” during his tour. This shared passion only adds to his motivation. The team is clearly united in their goals.
“I really hope we can keep up our recent progress,” the 30-year-old rider concluded. “We are seeing improvements every single weekend. Our competitiveness is growing, and that’s a massive boost for us all.” It’s clear the team is feeling good about their direction.
Currently, Miguel Oliveira sits in 21st place in the Riders’ World Championship standings. He has gathered 24 points so far this season.
Meanwhile, the championship battle reaches a fever pitch. Spain’s Marc Márquez, riding for Ducati, leads the pack into Japan. He holds a hefty 182-point advantage over his brother, Alex Márquez, also on a Ducati. Marc Márquez could clinch the championship title on Sunday. He just needs to finish the weekend with at least a 185-point lead over his closest competitor.