Styria GP: Miguel Oliveira sets brilliant record with maiden victory!
The Portuguese rider takes an astonishing victory in Styria with his last turn pass at Spielberg.
Miguel Oliveira, Styria Grand Prix | Photo credits: KTM Factory Racing
The BMW M Grand Prix of Styria just closed its veil during the weekend and Red Bull KTM clinched their second MotoGP victory within two weeks with Miguel Oliveira. Not to mention, this is Oliveira’s first-ever success at the Red Bull Ring. Even more exciting is the fact that this is not just the first win for his Red Bull KTM Tech3 team in MotoGP but also for his country Portugal. Teammate Pol Espargaro made it past the chequred flag in third place to add on a podium win for the team and a second-career podium for himself. A splendid weekend for KTM indeed as the constructor had all four RC16s in the top ten, including points from Brad Binder and Iker Lecuona. This record is more than any other brand. Celestino Vietti posted KTM’s second Moto3 victory in a row.
KTM is now third in the Constructors standings, just 6 points away from the top. Oliveira’s success ended Ducati’s clean sweep at the Red Bull Ring since 2016.
Miguel Oliveira
“I’m very emotional…there is so much I want to say but I cannot at the moment. A big thank you to all the people that believed in me starting with my family, everyone in the team, sponsors and the Portuguese crowd. Thank you so much for your support. This is history today for me and my country and I couldn’t be happier to do it here in the home of KTM and Red Bull.”
Pol Espargaro
“Anyone can win those kinds of races! Pretty crazy. I was fighting with Jack until the last corner and Miguel was able to profit but that’s racing. It was a beautiful race. Anyway, we made the podium, we are up here and I’m super-happy.”
Mike Leitner, Red Bull KTM Race Manager
“An unbelievable race. We had all four bikes in the top ten at our home race and with two riders fighting for victory. Pol was pushing all the way with Jack on the last lap and we know that the last two corners are crucial at this track. Both went wide but fortunately Miguel was in a great position to bring home the race and we’re super-happy about that. Both riders deserved it because Pol rode so well. Brad and Iker also scored good points and we have shown that the performance of the RC16 is really there.”
Pit Beirer, KTM Motorsports Director
“It is hard to find the right words after such a wonderful day. I remember so well our first GP in Qatar when we started from last place and my words to our CEO Mr Pierer that we would turn things around and park our bike on the other side of the grid. We’ve had a double today: Pole and a win at our home Grand Prix with Moto3 as well and all four MotoGP bikes in the top ten with two on the podium. The project overall has been amazing. We have gone our own way and that approach is paying off. The team spirit and the atmosphere with so many people here at the circuit and back at the factory pushing like crazy bringing the results: it’s like a dream come true. I will need some time now to realize what has happened these last weeks.”
Hervé Poncharal, Red Bull KTM Tech3 Team Principal
“What an incredible day, incredible emotions! It is something like forty years we’ve been in this business and we never won a MotoGP race. Today our dream came true. Here in Austria, which is in front of our title sponsor Red Bull, in front of the KTM management, our manufacturer. I would like also to dedicate this victory to Miguel because he has been pushing a lot. Year one was not easy; he was injured the second half of the season. We’ve been fast since the beginning of this year, the bike improved, he improved. Now we’ve done it. I’m very proud to see two KTMs on the rostrum. Clearly, this is now one of the bikes to beat. So let’s celebrate tonight and let’s hope there will be some other exciting days like today.”
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