This year, MotoGP bikes are faster than ever, breaking top speed and lap time records at various circuits. But does this mean they physically strain the riders more? Miguel Oliveira discussed this topic.
The Portuguese rider from Trackhouse Racing mentioned that his bike is more physically demanding this season, which doesn’t significantly impact him: ‘My bike is more physical this season than last season, for sure. But we are fit, we get ready, so it doesn’t really change the fitness level – for me especially. That’s my perspective’.
According to Oliveira, higher speeds don’t necessarily translate into more fatigue while riding: ‘It’s harder to ride a bike which doesn’t have any grip than ride a bike which is… so, sometimes you go faster, but that doesn’t means necessarly that you get more tired because of it’.
When asked if lap times come more easily despite the higher speeds, the #88 confirmed: ‘Yes. And with less effort with the grip. One thing is the time attack, the other thing is the race pace. That’s a bit different’.