"Underrated" Oliveira proved critics wrong with win - Tech 3
Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal is "very happy" to have been able to give "underrated" Miguel Oliveira a chance to "show he's a MotoGP rider" with his Styrian Grand Prix win.
Oliveira snatched a maiden win for himself and the popular Tech 3 outfit at the last corner of a thrilling Styrian Grand Prix last Sunday, capitalising when Jack Miller pushed Pol Espargaro wide at the final corner.
The Tech 3 sophomore lost possible podium shots in the Andalusian and Austrian Grands Prix due to racing incidents with fellow KTM riders Brad Binder and Espargaro.
Poncharal says he felt Oliveira was "underrated" by those outside of Tech 3 and the "perception" of the Portuguese rider has been one of doubt over his credentials as frontrunning talent in MotoGP.
"I don't want to blame anyone," Poncharal told Motorsport.com in an exclusive interview. "He was a little bit underrated, because the results were not as good as the ones from Brad for example.
"But we knew why, because race two in Jerez we were fifth [on the grid] and he was out of the race after a Turn 1 incident, he couldn't show anything and I believe we would have been very close to a podium finish.
"Then we arrived in Czech Republic, he did a mistake in FP3 and then a very poor grid position [in qualifying] and then he did a fantastic race, but only ended up sixth.
"Austria race one, another racing incident, [this time] with Pol.
"So, this is why I was really happy because this guy I'm telling you has the speed. But also, he's a cool guy, he's a polite guy, he's a clever guy, he has a good education.
"Some people think to be a top rider you need to be wild, you need to be sometimes not really polite, not really well educated.
"And then the perception of Miguel as a person, maybe some people thought 'Ok, this guy's never going to be a MotoGP winner'.
"And we knew deep inside by sharing the data with all the other three KTM guys and by seeing how he was riding that it was a possibility, and therefore I'm very glad to have given Miguel the possibility to show he is a MotoGP rider and to do it with him before he's moving next year to the factory team makes me really, really happy."
Oliveira's maiden win came in the 900th premier class race and made him the first rider from Portugal to win in MotoGP.
The Tech 3 rider was the first to ascend KTM's ladder through to MotoGP, starting in Red Bull Rookies Cup before mounting title challenges in Moto3 (2016) and in Moto2 (2018) with the Austrian marque ahead of his premier class debut in 2019 with Tech 3.
Rossi backs Bagnaia for factory Ducati 2021 MotoGP ride
Why Oliveira was right to pass on 2020 works KTM MotoGP ride
Quartararo explains slicks-in-wet “challenge” in MotoGP Japanese GP
Quartararo explains slicks-in-wet “challenge” in MotoGP Japanese GP Quartararo explains slicks-in-wet “challenge” in MotoGP Japanese GP
Bezzecchi’s Motegi MotoGP Turn 1 clash stopped Bagnaia ‘flight’
Bezzecchi’s Motegi MotoGP Turn 1 clash stopped Bagnaia ‘flight’ Bezzecchi’s Motegi MotoGP Turn 1 clash stopped Bagnaia ‘flight’
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid The hockey expansion rule that could benefit Andretti's F1 bid
“I couldn’t see anything” - Why Oliveira lost Motegi MotoGP top-six finish
“I couldn’t see anything” - Why Oliveira lost Motegi MotoGP top-six finish “I couldn’t see anything” - Why Oliveira lost Motegi MotoGP top-six finish
Oliveira: MotoGP concessions can't just be for Japanese marques
Oliveira: MotoGP concessions can't just be for Japanese marques Oliveira: MotoGP concessions can't just be for Japanese marques
Why Oliveira was right to pass on 2020 works KTM MotoGP ride
Why Oliveira was right to pass on 2020 works KTM MotoGP ride Why Oliveira was right to pass on 2020 works KTM MotoGP ride
Espargaro: MotoGP needs to think about how to manage hotter races
Espargaro: MotoGP needs to think about how to manage hotter races Espargaro: MotoGP needs to think about how to manage hotter races
Fernandez insists he will remain with Tech3 in 2024 despite Acosta MotoGP rumours
Fernandez insists he will remain with Tech3 in 2024 despite Acosta MotoGP rumours Fernandez insists he will remain with Tech3 in 2024 despite Acosta MotoGP rumours
How KTM failed one of its brightest MotoGP prospects
How KTM failed one of its brightest MotoGP prospects How KTM failed one of its brightest MotoGP prospects
2023 Bathurst 1000 – Start time, how to watch, channel & more
2023 Bathurst 1000 – Start time, how to watch, channel & more 2023 Bathurst 1000 – Start time, how to watch, channel & more
2023 Supercars Bathurst 1000 session times and preview
2023 Supercars Bathurst 1000 session times and preview 2023 Supercars Bathurst 1000 session times and preview
How Sargeant can save his Williams F1 seat
How Sargeant can save his Williams F1 seat How Sargeant can save his Williams F1 seat
Iowa Speedway to join NASCAR Cup schedule in 2024
Iowa Speedway to join NASCAR Cup schedule in 2024 Iowa Speedway to join NASCAR Cup schedule in 2024
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP? Can anyone stop "changed" Bagnaia as Ducati tightens its grip on MotoGP?
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing The signs that MotoGP's Japanese powerhouses are changing
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form The other Suzuki signing that could transform Honda's MotoGP form
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team How the MotoGP paddock has offered refuge to Suzuki's former team
How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years
How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years How one MotoGP team went from title challengers to losing it all in four years
Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?
Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne? Is Marc Marquez ready to reclaim his MotoGP throne?
How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023 How MotoGP's underachiever is working to reverse its fortunes in 2023
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races How MotoGP riders are preparing for the physical stress of sprint races
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.