Oliveira Reveals the Reason for Missing Q2 – The Front of the Car Shook His Confidence

Miguel Oliveira narrowly missed out on direct entry into Qualifying 2 (Q2) during the opening day of action at the 2025 Italian MotoGP at Mugello, finishing 11th in combined Free Practice times, just 126 thousandths of a second short of the cut-off. Despite showing promising pace on his Trackhouse Aprilia, the Portuguese rider admitted that a lack of front-end confidence limited his performance at critical moments.

The Mugello circuit is known for punishing any hesitation, especially in high-speed corners where riders must trust their front tire completely. Oliveira, despite his competitive rhythm, revealed that he couldn’t fully commit during key braking zones and corner entries.

A Frustrating Margin: Just 0.126s Away from Q2

After FP2 concluded on Friday, Oliveira sat just outside the top 10 — a heartbreaking outcome in modern MotoGP, where the difference between glory and frustration can be measured in thousandths of a second. Mugello’s fast and flowing layout rewards aggression and confidence, and that’s where Oliveira felt he was lacking.

“Yeah, it was a good sign for sure. The speed was kind of there,” Oliveira began. “I did miss a couple of lines due to not being 100% comfortable with the front of the bike.”

That discomfort proved costly. Unable to brake as late or carry as much corner speed as he wanted, Oliveira left time on the table, which ultimately kept him out of the Q2 group.

Front-End Feel: A Critical Limitation

Modern MotoGP bikes rely heavily on rider trust in front-end stability, especially under hard braking. Oliveira’s explanation of his difficulties sheds light on a problem that has plagued many riders before — when confidence in the front vanishes, the entire riding dynamic changes.

“I’m not able to carry speed into the corners due to not being okay to stop the bike on the entry,” he said.

What makes this issue so frustrating for Oliveira and his Trackhouse Aprilia crew is that it didn’t seem to stem from overall bike performance. In fact, Oliveira was happy with many aspects of the machine’s behavior, especially its turning ability on entry, which is traditionally a strength of the Aprilia RS-GP platform.

“We’re just thinking of adjusting the bike slightly for tomorrow to get the best performance out of the strong point of the bike, which is turning on entry. So we just try to maximize that,” he added.

The plan for Saturday is simple: unlock more stability during corner entry so that Oliveira can fully utilize the bike’s agility.

A Strong Start, But One Detail Holds Him Back

Oliveira’s Friday performance had multiple positives. The raw pace was there, and on paper, he was the fastest Aprilia rider for much of the day. The margins between success and setback were tiny. But in MotoGP’s modern era, where half a second can separate fifteen riders, a single hesitation on corner entry can cost two or three grid positions.

By finishing P11, Oliveira will now have to go through Q1, a qualifying session where only two riders can move forward to Q2 and compete for the top grid slots. It’s a high-risk scenario that the Portuguese rider hoped to avoid — but one he is more than capable of mastering.

Trackhouse Aprilia Shows Progress

Oliveira’s presence near the top of the timesheets for most of Friday is a sign that Trackhouse Aprilia’s development program is yielding results. The American-backed satellite Aprilia team made headlines when they signed Oliveira, and their goal has been to consistently challenge factory bikes.

At Mugello, one of the most technically demanding tracks on the calendar, the team appears to have brought a competitive package. Oliveira’s speed in sector two and his ability to maintain rear grip through acceleration zones hint at an RS-GP that’s improving across key metrics.

But the final tenths of a second come from rider confidence — and that’s where Oliveira believes they still have work to do.

“We’re close,” he said. “Now we just need to find that little bit of front-end confidence to make a difference in the key moments.”

MotoGP’s Brutal Reality: Every Millisecond Counts

If anything, Oliveira’s situation perfectly encapsulates the brutal competitiveness of MotoGP in 2025. Gone are the days when factory machines had full advantage. Now, with the grid stacked with talent and technology evenly distributed, it takes perfection to stay in the top ten.

Riders must not only be fast, but precise — each corner entry, every braking point, every gear shift has to be executed with confidence. And when something feels just slightly off, as it did for Oliveira with the front of the bike, the result is missing Q2 by a margin smaller than the blink of an eye.

Oliveira’s Mental Resilience: Still Believing in a Comeback

Despite the frustration of missing Q2, Miguel Oliveira remains upbeat and focused. His body language in the paddock after the session reflected determination rather than disappointment. He knows the pace is there — and with the team focused on improving the front-end feel overnight, Saturday could be a turning point.

“I’m confident we can fix the issue,” he said. “It’s a small adjustment, but one that could change everything.”

It’s this resilience that has made Oliveira one of the most respected riders in the paddock. A former multiple-time race winner with KTM, he’s continued to build his reputation as a technically astute and mentally tough competitor.

In Q1, he’ll face a group of hungry riders all trying to do the same thing: fight their way into Q2 and earn a shot at a front-row start. But with Oliveira’s experience and Friday pace, he’ll enter as one of the favorites.

Q1 at Mugello: A High-Stakes Gamble

The Q1 session at Mugello is always intense. The layout of the circuit, with its high-speed straights and flowing corners, rewards boldness. But that boldness needs to be backed by bike setup and confidence — the very thing Oliveira is looking to dial in overnight.

If the Trackhouse crew can deliver a bike that gives him the front-end stability he needs, Oliveira’s turn-in precision and ability to carry lean angle could give him an edge. And once in Q2, anything is possible.

A top-eight start would be a significant reward for a rider and team who have been quietly building something special.

The Bigger Picture: Oliveira’s Role in Aprilia’s Rise

Oliveira’s move to Trackhouse Aprilia has been part of a broader strategy to elevate Aprilia’s competitiveness across the grid. His technical feedback, particularly in areas like front-end balance and race tire management, has helped guide setup decisions and bike development.

At Mugello, that relationship was evident — the team responded quickly to his feedback, and even with the front-end limitation, the bike showed race-winning potential in some sectors.

If they can iron out the final detail, it may not just be Q2 within reach — but a podium challenge on Sunday.

Conclusion: Just One Change Could Rewrite Oliveira’s Weekend

Miguel Oliveira’s performance on Day 1 of the 2025 Italian MotoGP was a case study in potential held back by a single, critical detail. His speed, race craft, and experience were on full display, and had he been just slightly more confident with the front-end, he likely would have secured a direct ticket to Q2.

Instead, he faces the added pressure of Q1 — but also the opportunity for redemption. With a motivated team behind him and a clear target in mind, Oliveira knows exactly what needs to change.

“We’re very close. One small improvement with the front and we’re back in business,” he affirmed.

The MotoGP world will now watch closely to see if that small change can unlock a big result for Miguel Oliveira and Trackhouse Aprilia.