CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team returns to Europe
Following an eventful opening of the 2023 season in Portugal, Argentina and lately in Austin, Texas, the MotoGP World Championship returns to Europe this weekend with one of the classics in the calendar. The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team is eager to compete at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto this weekend for the Spanish Grand Prix, one of three home rounds for team rider Raul Fernandez.
Following a strong catch up in the Sprint race as well as in the main race of the Americas Grand Prix last time out, Miguel Oliveira showed a strong comeback after being forced to sit out the second round of 2023. Starting from P15, he finished eighth in the Sprint and in an impressive fifth position of the full-length race on Sunday, collecting a total if 13 World Championship points. This weekend, the Portuguese star hopes to continue his progress aboard the Aprilia RS-GP, making similar moves with a better starting position.
At the same time, Raul Fernandez is coming home. The young rider from Spain’s capital Madrid, recently felt better and better with his RS-GP. He was ready to score some decent points in the main race at the Circuit of the Americas just a bit over one week ago, but unfortunately had to return to the pits with a technical issue, forcing him to an early retirement. On home soil, the 22-years old is aiming to make up for the lost points this weekend.
The fourth of 21 rounds in 2023 starts this Friday with Free Practice one at 10:45 local time, followed by Free Practice two at 15:00. Apart from Saturday’s action-packed program, Sunday will see the main race starting 15:00 local time in Spain.
MIGUEL OLIVEIRA
“I’m confident after Austin, which was a track, that is difficult for me. Coming back from the injury, it was nice to score some points. The goal for Jerez will remain the same, continue on this line in scoring points in both races. Hopefully we can make another step forward in terms of speed and improving the Qualifying. I’m looking forward to discover Jerez with the Aprilia. I’m very motivated.”
RAUL FERNANDEZ
“Jerez is a very important track for me. Of course, it’s always something special having a race in Spain, my home country in front of our fans. I will try to get a good feeling aboard the Aprilia RS-GP, like I had in Texas last time out and I hope I’ll be a bit luckier avoiding problems. We’ll try to do our best. I think we have potential and step by step we arrive closer to the top, but I think it’s time to get some results now to confirm we can be there.”
Razlan Razali, Founder and Team Principal CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
“So far with the first round in Portimao and the first two flyaway races, we can be satisfied in some ways with our performance compared to last year. We know if that the situation was not the way it was, we could have done better, meaning the incident of Marc Marquez and Miguel in round one and the mechanical issue that Raul had in Austin.”
“Maybe the situation could be a little bit better for the team already. But it’s still a positive time for the team and now the MotoGP circus is back in Jerez this week, which I believe will be truly where the championship begins, where everybody is familiar with the circuits, beginning with Jerez, then Le Mans, followed by Mugello, Sachsenring and Assen. The most important thing is that both riders are in good health and fitness, getting to grips with the RS-GP at each track quickly. We arrive in Jerez full of enthusiasm and motivation to continue our progress to go better.”
Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team
“After mixed results from Miguel and Raul in Austin, we are quite happy to go to Jerez and see what the boys can do in Spain. Of course, we have had Portimao already, which didn’t work out really well for us, but there is much more track knowledge by both riders in Jerez than in Austin and in Austin they already seemed to have a good speed and where both in a good flow. With their entourage and the enthusiastic fans, it’s always nice to ride in Jerez. On top of that, Raul is Spanish, so it will be his first 2023 home race. Let’s see, what we can do. Hopefully, the sun will shine again for us in the South of Spain.”
