Oliveira Battles Faulty Device to Grab Point in Mandalika Heat

A cloudless sky, searing track temperatures and an expectant Indonesian crowd set the scene for a Saturday that would prove complicated yet faintly rewarding for Portugal’s only MotoGP representative. By the chequered flag Miguel Oliveira had wrestled his Prima Pramac-Yamaha to ninth place—a result that looked modest on paper but still yielded a vital championship point after a late-evening penalty shuffled the order.

Heat, Hopes and a Lightning Launch

Mandalika’s resurfaced 4.3-kilometre ribbon of asphalt is famed for its shimmering heat haze and punishing traction demands. It was under those conditions that Oliveira fired off the line with a blistering getaway, momentarily climbing into the top 6 as the field plunged into Turn 1. The jubilation was short-lived. A stubborn front-end holeshot device refused to disengage, locking the Portuguese rider’s steering geometry and forcing him to cede ground through the fast opening sector. “Trying to deactivate it felt like carrying an anvil on the forks,” he admitted afterwards.

Locked Suspension, Unlocked Determination

The malfunction persisted for nine agonising corners before finally freeing itself. By then Oliveira had tumbled behind Joan Mir and Marc Márquez, two riders notorious for late-brake defence. Stuck in their wake, the Lisbon native could only watch the podium fight edge away. Yet a measured second half of the 13-lap dash, combined with Luca Marini’s tyre-pressure sanction, promoted the #88 to ninth. In a season where outright speed has been elusive, the single point felt almost symbolic: a reminder that patience can still pay dividends when the machinery refuses to co-operate.

Bezzecchi Triumphs, Iberian Rookie Shines

While Oliveira salvaged what he could, the spoils went to Marco Bezzecchi, whose Aprilia devoured Mandalika’s high-speed sweepers on the way to victory in 19 min 37.047 sec. Spanish sensation Fermín Aldeguer, barely old enough to rent a car back home, missed the win by just 0.157 sec, with Trackhouse’s Raúl Fernández claiming a popular third. The result pushed Fernández to 112 championship points—an intriguing yardstick for Portuguese fans, given that Oliveira’s tally now sits at 32, leaving him 21st overall after 18 rounds.

Why This Point Matters for Portugal

Portugal’s interest in MotoGP has grown exponentially since the Algarve round joined the calendar in 2020. Every point Oliveira scores keeps the spotlight on Portuguese motorsport at a time when the country is bidding for a long-term Portimão contract extension. Equally important, the Pramac-Yamaha project he joined this season is still in early development; Mandalika’s data will feed directly into upgrades scheduled for the Valencia finale and the critical winter tests at Sepang. Team engineers confirmed to Portuguese media that a re-calibrated front-ride-height device is already in the pipeline.

Sunday Stakes: Tyre Gamble and Turn 1 Showdown

The sprint’s lessons are clear. Oliveira believes another "mega start" combined with a harder brake marker into Turn 1 is essential if he is to crack the top 10 in the 27-lap Grand Prix. Weight from a full fuel load complicates matters, and the rider hinted at choosing the soft rear tyre—a daring call that could pay off if degradation remains manageable. Forecasts predict 60 °C track temperatures, meaning tyre conservation will rival outright pace. For viewers back home, the key moment may again arrive before the exit of Turn 2: if the ride-height system releases cleanly, a stronger finish is on the cards.

Championship Picture Beyond the Headlines

Marc Márquez has already wrapped up the 2025 world title, yet the battle for top-10 positions remains fluid. Aprilia Racing’s surge, exemplified by Bezzecchi’s win, has tightened the constructors’ contest with Ducati and Yamaha. A single Portuguese point might appear negligible, but in a championship where factory funding often hinges on cumulative scores, Oliveira’s dogged ninth carries weight. As the paddock packs for Phillip Island and then Thailand, every incremental gain could influence next season’s technical concessions—parameters that directly affect how competitive Oliveira’s bike will be when MotoGP returns to Portimão next spring.

For now, Mandalika leaves Portuguese fans with a mixed cocktail of relief and anticipation: relief that a technical gremlin was overcome in time to salvage points, and anticipation that Sunday’s longer race could convert hard lessons into something more tangible than a solitary digit on the scoreboard.