Full focus on Raul Fernandez for round two of 2023 

The CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team is looking forward to the Argentina Grand Prix this weekend, despite the rough setback with the absence of Miguel Oliveira. Nevertheless, the team is motivated to extend their full support to Raul Fernandez, who will be competing in CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team colors for the second time this weekend.

Following the incident last Sunday, Miguel Oliveira went home to Lisbon to get some further checks on his body. An MRI conducted on Monday confirmed the suspicions the Portuguese hero had after his crash and revealed some tendon injuries to the external rotators of the right leg which cannot be treated with surgery. As a result, Oliveira needs to sit out the second round of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship in order to rest and recuperate with the hope of being fit for the third event of the season in Austin, Texas.

At the same time, Raul Fernandez was also struggling with his physical condition last Sunday in Portugal. The Spanish rider felt a numbness in his right arm from the second half of the race, which eventually led to his crash. Although he doesn’t know the reason behind it yet, he still feels it and will undergo further checking with the doctor. He is still eager to have a good weekend in Termas de Rio Hondo, a track, where he already developed good sensations on in his rookie year.

The second round of 2023 starts this Friday with Free Practice one at 10:45 local time (15:45 CET), followed by the new 60 minutes long second Free Practice at 15:00 local time (20:00 CET).

RAUL FERNANDEZ

“Argentina is a beautiful track, that I like a lot. I thank it can suit our bike well too. Last year, I did a good race in Termas de Rio Hondo, so I am very happy to come back. We did a decent job during the first race weekend of 2023 in Portugal last week and if we continue like this and improve the Qualifying, I think we can have a strong race.”

Razlan Razali, Founder and Team Principal CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team

“We arrive in Argentina feeling anger and frustration with the news that Miguel is not fit to compete in round two. It was something, that we expected in a way, because the incident in round one was massive and we did have some reservations that he may not be racing this week. Nevertheless, we will continue to focus on Raul, who also had his own fitness issues with his shoulder that lead to a numbness on the right side of his body, that in some ways contributed to his crash last week. Overall, we didn’t have a great start to the year, it was very frustrating. I further stress the need for the FIM stewards to take serious action with reckless racing. But we will have to continue, work hard and try to make a positive outcome for round two this weekend.”
 

Wilco Zeelenberg, Team Manager CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team

“First of all, I want to say that we are very excited to go to Argentina, especially because Aprilia won here last year. We hope to be able to do something similar with one of the Aprilia riders. We had great speed in Portimao and of course he has been very unlucky with the crash of Miguel, being in a very strong position, but only completing two laps in the main race, is obviously very disappointing. Looking forward to this weekend, Raul learned a lot last weekend following strong riders and having a good pace. Unluckily, he pushed a bit too hard trying to get a couple of extra points at the end of the race. But it’s all about the learning curve. He is on a good way and in a good flow. We have only Raul as a rider here in Argentina and hope Miguel will come back in Austin. Anyway, all doors are open in Argentina. Raul is quick and the Aprilia was very fast here last year, so we should try to keep the momentum, going forward, going faster and try to further improve in all areas.”