According to new regulations, Miguel Oliveira could have tested privately after his injury break – but he has his doubts about how this rule will be implemented
At the end of April, the Grand Prix Commission agreed that MotoGP riders would be allowed to complete a private test ahead of their comeback after a lengthy break, usually due to injury. This is to ensure that the rider is truly fit and can rebuild their feeling for the bike and their speed away from the stress of a race weekend.
There are a few rules for these private tests. The rider has to have missed at least three events in a row or been unable to take part in an event for at least 45 days in a row during the current season.
A maximum of three sets of tires can be used in these private tests, which count toward the tire allocation of the respective manufacturer’s test team. Such a private test is possible but not mandatory.
Miguel Oliveira was injured in the sprint in Argentina. That was on March 15. Since the Pramac rider subsequently missed the race weekends in the USA, Qatar, and Spain, a private test would theoretically have been possible before his comeback in France.
What does the Portuguese rider think about this rule change? “I would say that in very special cases, such as Jorge Martin’s current situation, it’s a good idea,” he says, referring to the Aprilia rider’s injury misfortune.
“I think it makes a lot of sense because he’s someone who doesn’t know the bike yet, who crashed on his first or second run of preseason testing, then came back and had a normal weekend—until the crash, which was obviously unfortunate for him.“
”But how to implement this rule in practice—that’s more difficult,” Oliveira believes. “You need a test team that’s ready to go. You have to find a track where you’re allowed to ride – and that costs a lot of money.”
This is because there are also parameters that apply to the race track for such a private test. It may only take place on a circuit where the manufacturer is allowed to test in accordance with concession rules, or on a track where no Grand Prix will take place later in the season.
Regardless of this, the test must not be carried out within eight weeks of a MotoGP race scheduled for that track. “Is it really worth spending so much money just to come back?” Oliveira questions. “I don’t know.”
“I don’t know, but at the same time it’s good that at least something has changed – that’s fine. But if you want to check your physical condition, you can also ride a Superbike.”
“It costs significantly less, and you can still get a good feeling. I don’t know if it’s a valid feeling, but at least you know whether you can ride or not,” said the Yamaha rider. Time will tell whether the teams will make use of the new testing opportunity.
