Aprilia satellite squad RNF Racing Team just can’t catch a break. In the 2023 season opener at Portugal’s Algarve International Circuit, local hero Miguel Oliveira suffered damage to his hip tendons after Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez crashed into him in the opening laps. Number 88 sat out both the Argentinian GP and the Grand Prix of the Americas to nurse his injuries.
When MotoGP returned to Europe for the Spanish Grand Prix on April 30, 2023, the series medical staff finally declared Oliveira fit to race. Sadly, his health status didn’t remain positive for long. In the opening lap of the Sunday Grand Prix, Ducati VR46 rider Marco Bezzechi and Yamaha Factory rider Fabio Quartararo came together at turn two. The contact sent the 2021 MotoGP Champion sliding into the gravel pit, collecting the RNF Aprilia rider along the way.
