Miguel Oliveira finished the MotoGP testing day in Jerez after working on some different solutions on the Aprilia RS-GP – some of them gave positive indications. It seems with optimism that the Trackhouse Racing rider leaves the track in southern Spain, on a day where he was 15th – as naturally, lap times are not important or relevant on a testing day.
The Portuguese rider tested a different rear section with different sensations: ‘We tried to find a good balance to help us stop the bike and also try to have good stability in fast corners. There were some positive points, some negative. It is very difficult for us to work on the rear section. Some positives, some negatives, but overall it was good information. Probably we will test again on some other occasion‘.
Asked if these positive and negative aspects are related to aerodynamic load on the rear, Oliveira explained: ‘When you generate aerodynamic load while braking, you also generate it while accelerating. Coming out of some corners I had a bit more wheelie [front wheel lift] and it is very difficult to find the compromise immediately‘.
On the other hand, “Falcão” experimented with ergonomics to try to improve braking, but was not satisfied: ‘We tested a possible solution and it didn’t work. So, what I have still seems to be the best compromise for me‘.
Is Oliveira happier with the bike on test day or in yesterday’s race? #88 replied: ‘It felt better today. I only had one big item to test at the end and I couldn’t really put it all together with a new tire to set a lap time, because the track was really good at the end and I was fast. But anyway, we still move on with the feeling for Le Mans and I think there will be another confirmation that we took a step in the right direction‘.
