Miguel Oliveira explains the incident that forced him to withdraw abruptly at Assen.

Miguel Oliveira’s hopes for a strong Dutch Grand Prix came to a frustrating end at Assen, as the Trackhouse Racing rider was forced to retire following a chain-reaction incident he described as a “typical traffic light incident.” Despite a lightning-fast start and early momentum, Oliveira’s weekend unraveled due to a domino effect triggered by Johann Zarco’s aggressive maneuver at Turn 5.

From elation to elimination — the Portuguese star’s Dutch GP story was a rollercoaster of emotions in just a few minutes.

A Brilliant Start Turns Sour in Seconds

Miguel Oliveira, known for his intelligent racecraft and clean launches, made a perfect getaway from the grid. He gained three positions almost immediately and was looking comfortable, poised to push further into the points-paying positions.

“I made a good start again. Jumped already, like, three places, and everything was going smooth,” Oliveira recalled.

But then came the twist. Just as things were settling in, the race took a chaotic turn at Turn 5.

The Incident: Zarco’s Bold Move Sparks Disaster

The drama began when Johann Zarco lunged up the inside of two riders at Turn 5 — a notoriously tight corner that offers little margin for error. Oliveira was caught behind this risky move, and Jack Miller, riding just ahead of him, was forced to react instantly.

“Zarco went up on the inside, got beside two guys, and Jack was right behind them,” explained Oliveira. “And so Jack had to brake. And when Jack braked, I opened the throttle. And by this much, I clipped his rear wheel.”

That split-second miscalculation was all it took to derail Oliveira’s race.

The phrase “traffic light incident” — likening the scenario to a rear-end collision in urban traffic — captures the helplessness Oliveira felt. A clean start and a solid rhythm meant nothing in the face of an unpredictable maneuver up ahead.

Ai Ogura: The Unlikely Hero in Oliveira’s Near-Crash

Incredibly, the incident didn’t end in an immediate crash for Oliveira — thanks to Ai Ogura, who unwittingly became the buffer that prevented a worse outcome.

“I was almost getting thrown to the other side, but luckily, Ai Ogura was there. He held me, so I didn’t crash. He crashed, and I rejoined the race.”

It was a brutal turn of events for Ogura, who bore the brunt of the contact and was unable to continue. Meanwhile, Oliveira — though shaken and with a damaged machine — managed to stay upright and rejoin the race.

Damaged Bike, Broken Momentum

Despite avoiding a full crash, Oliveira’s bike suffered substantial damage from the contact. He pressed on, hoping to salvage something from the race, but it quickly became apparent that his machine wasn’t capable of competitive performance.

“I tried to keep going, but the damage was just too much. The bike wasn’t right, and there was no point in risking more,” Oliveira admitted.

Eventually, the team made the call — or perhaps the situation made it for them — and the Portuguese rider retired from the race, ending a weekend that had begun with genuine promise.

A Major Blow to Championship Hopes

This retirement marks another dent in Miguel Oliveira’s 2025 season, which has been marred by inconsistency and technical issues. The Trackhouse Racing rider, once tipped as a dark horse in the title fight, now faces a steep uphill climb in the championship standings.

The Assen GP was supposed to be a turnaround point — a fast-flowing circuit that suits Oliveira’s riding style. Instead, it has become another race of what-ifs and could-have-beens.

Oliveira’s Frustration Reflects Larger Concerns

The post-race debrief from Oliveira wasn’t just emotional — it was brutally honest. He didn’t shy away from accepting some blame, acknowledging the slight miscalculation that led to his contact with Miller. But he also didn’t hold back in calling out Zarco’s overly aggressive dive, which initiated the sequence of chaos.

“It’s just one of those moments in racing, but it’s frustrating when you’re the one who pays the price for someone else’s overtake,” said Oliveira.

His frustration is justified — with strong starts and visible race pace, Oliveira has shown that he has the tools to fight. But incidents like this one, outside of his control, keep pulling the rug out from under him.

The Bigger Picture: Trackhouse’s Growing Pains

This incident also highlights the challenges faced by Trackhouse Racing in their debut MotoGP campaign. While Oliveira has shown flashes of brilliance and team cohesion appears strong, there is still a sense of teething problems and growing pains.

Having a competitive rider like Oliveira is a blessing — but keeping him in the fight requires more than just talent. It demands a little more luck, and a lot more consistency.

Assen offered neither.

What’s Next for Miguel Oliveira?

As the MotoGP paddock moves to the next round, Miguel Oliveira will be eager to reset and recover from this bitter setback. The Portuguese rider remains confident in his team and his ability, but the pressure to turn potential into points is mounting.

The next few rounds will be crucial. Oliveira needs clean races, good luck, and — most importantly — an escape from the mid-pack chaos that has haunted him this season.

If there’s one thing Oliveira has always demonstrated, it’s resilience. And with the season still in full swing, expect the Portuguese warrior to come back fighting.