Miguel Oliveira has officially signed with BMW – but Aprilia is showing interest in collaborating on the development of the new MotoGP prototype for 2027.
Miguel Oliveira will leave MotoGP next year and compete for BMW in the Superbike World Championship. When the Portuguese rider recently spoke about his future for the first time in Mandalika, he also wanted to keep a door open in the MotoGP paddock. If there was an opportunity, he would be interested in being involved in the development of the new 850cc prototype for 2027 as an Aprilia test rider.
“Who knows what might be possible in terms of the calendar. I think it’s a huge step forward for me as a rider to stay in touch with the MotoGP bike. I believe it can definitely help me stay in shape for the Superbike World Championship as well.”
Basically, the door seems to be open at Aprilia. Unlike the other manufacturers, Aprilia only has one test rider, Lorenzo Savadori. At the start of the season, he also had to compete in several races for the injured Jorge Martin. “If you ask me about Miguel Oliveira,” says Aprilia Motorsport Director Massimo Rivola, “if an opportunity arises, we will take it. But so far, I don’t know. Since he signed with BMW, you have to ask BMW first. From our side, we’ll see.“
BMW would have to agree to the plan. There is also the question of what Aprilia’s test program will look like and whether it would be compatible with the Superbike program’s free time outside of race weekends and test drives.
”For me, it’s an option,” Oliveira emphasizes.
“Of course, you would have to discuss it with BMW first. You would also have to see how feasible it is in terms of scheduling, because I would also understand that Aprilia would want to take full advantage of me testing their bike. So not just getting on the bike every now and then in my spare time. It’s not easy to come up with a schedule that works for everyone.”
Most MotoGP tests will take place behind closed doors next year. Theoretically, this could give Oliveira the opportunity to work for two brands. That’s because he wouldn’t appear in public as an Aprilia test rider and, from a marketing perspective, would be exclusively a BMW rider.
It has already been decided that a Superbike rider will be involved in the development program for the new 850cc motorcycle next year. Nicolo Bulega will be involved in the MotoGP test program alongside the Superbike World Championship. However, he works exclusively for one brand: Ducati.
