Raul Fernandez scores a point with 15th in #ThaiGP, DNF for Miguel Oliveira

In scorching and humid conditions, round 17 of 2023 in Buriram, Thailand, turned out to be a tricky one for the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team for various reasons. While Raul Fernandez was pushing to get the best possible result, Miguel Oliveira has been unlucky in today’s 26 laps race at the Chang International Circuit.

Fernandez, who qualified in 14th position, had a better start than yesterday, kept his position after the first few corners and even managed to pass some other riders to find himself in P11 after the first lap. He did a strong and consistent pace and moved up gradually to P9 on lap three, where he was fighting in the chasing group that from P6 to P17, losing and gaining some ground and positions here and there. Yet, towards the end of the 26 incredible demanding laps race, he was unable to keep his strong pace and went backwards to eventually cross the line in P15, earning him at least one World Championship point.

On the other side of the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team garage, Oliveira was trying to find a feeling aboard his Aprilia RS-GP all weekend long and had to start from P20 on the grid. From there, he made up three positions in the opening lap of the main race this afternoon and tried hard to stick with the riders ahead of him. Nevertheless, he remained without a chance as a technical issue in lap seven stopped him from continuing the Thai Grand Prix.

Following this demanding triple header, the CryptoDATA RNF MotoGP Team is ready for a short break at home next week in order to come back freshly charged to the final triple of this season, starting in Sepang, Malaysia, in less than a fortnight.

RAUL FERNANDEZ

The first part of the race was really good, I felt that I started really well, I was fighting with Fabio (Quartararo). I saw the podium potential but we don’t have the pace to do it, but we did have the pace for 5th or 6th position. But after 10 or 11 laps, the heat was really bad and the last five laps were not good at all. I was close to stop the race but for my respect to the team and Aprilia, I continued to get at least a point. I’m happy because I have the potential and I feel good that I can ride the bike well. We need to see what we did well and do it again in the next race.

MIGUEL OLIVEIRA

I had to retire the bike due to a technical issue early on in the race. At first, I was trying to manage the rear tyre, I knew the race would be long and a challenge physically and for the tyres, so I was managing as best as I could, but in the end I had to stop the race. It’s something we have to look into but now, I’m just looking to reset and do better.