Following an injury to his left sternoclavicular joint sustained in a crash during the Sprint Race at the Argentina GP, Miguel Oliveira will be forced to miss the third round of the MotoGP World Championship, scheduled for next week at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin. Replacing him will be Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Rider Augusto Fernandez.
Initial medical examinations at the circuit‘s medical center in Termas de Rio Hondo ruled out fractures but confirmed a significant sternoclavicular contusion and a large hematoma. Forced to miss the GP, Miguel returned to Portugal on Sunday for further medical assessments, which revealed a dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint along with ligament involvement.
In the coming days, Oliveira will undergo additional examinations to monitor his progress.
Stepping in for Miguel at the GP of the Americas and representing Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP aboard the YZR-M1 will be 27-year-old Madrid native and 2022 Moto2 World Champion, Augusto Fernandez, who is serving as a Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Rider this season.
The entire Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team wishes Miguel a full and speedy recovery and warmly welcomes Augusto to the team.
“First of all, I want to thank the team and the doctors who treated me. After returning home, I had an MRI that detected a dislocation of the sternoclavicular joint with ligament rupture. Obviously, we discussed the fastest recovery options, and it was decided to keep the arm immobilised for some time. The time of return is unpredictable because we have to await my body’s biological response. We will evaluate every week how the situation is. We are working on returning to the track as soon as possible, but above that we will focus on my recovery and getting back to 100% fitness.”
— Miguel Oliveira, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP
“First of all, I want to send Miguel my best wishes for a speedy recovery. I hope he can be back soon. I also want to thank Yamaha and Pramac for this opportunity. Austin is an awesome track, and I can‘t wait to be back riding the M1. I am really looking forward to starting the race weekend.”
— Augusto Fernández, Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Rider
“I am really sorry for the injury Miguel has suffered, especially at a time in the season when he was gaining more and more confidence with his YZR-M1 and the team. Unfortunately, luck hasn‘t been much on his side in recent years, but knowing him, I am sure he will react like the true fighter he is and come back strong and motivated as before. The most important thing right now is that he receives the best possible treatment and can return to the track as soon as possible. As for Augusto, welcome to our team! Despite the short notice, I am confident that we will be able to do a great job together, with the entire Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP team ready to support him at all times.”
— Gino Borsoi, Team Director, Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP
