Oliveira pushing for factory pace at Sepang MotoGP test

Miguel Oliveira will be out on track at Sepang International Circuit this weekend as he fires up the RNF Aprilia RS-GP.

Aiming to get up to speed quickly as he bids to challenge factory riders Aleix Espargaro and Maverick Viñales, Oliveira and new teammate Raul Fernandez are ready to embark on three days of testing at the vast 5.5km Malaysian layout.

The five-time premier class race winner was recently seen in action at Portimao’s Algarve International Circuit as he joined the WorldSBK private test for a spin aboard a production bike before flying out to Asia and the first official test of 2023.

“It would be super nice, if I could be close to Aleix and Maverick in this test,” Oliveira said on his early aspirations. “It’s definitely a goal to be near the factory guys.

“We are expecting some little things to test, not a lot though. Our main job is to build a strong base and understand what can work for me and what might not work. It’s a test, where we will filter a couple of things. The base is just me getting used to the bike.”