FIRST PODIUM FOR OLIVEIRA WITH APRILIA, VIÑALES SEVENTH AFTER A CRASH IN Q2
In the last few minutes of Q2, Maverick Viñales has suffered a bad high-side and finished the session seventh. After the crash, the Spaniard underwent a medical examination at the circuit medical center due to severe hip pain. The radiological and ultrasound tests carried out revealed no fractures or injuries to the ligaments and joints. Maverick suffered a blunt trauma and, with the aid of pain medication, took part in the sprint race. After a good start, the Spanish rider held on all the way to the final lap, missing the sixth place by just three thousandths of a second.
Outstanding qualifiers for the Trackhouse Aprilias ridden by Miguel Oliveira and Raúl Fernández, who took the second and third spots on the grid respectively. In the Sprint Race, Oliveira performed extremely well, finishing second and taking his first podium with the RS-GP.
MAVERICK VIÑALES
"Before the crash I was pushing to see where the limit was in preparation for the final time attack, and to be honest I wasn't expecting a high-side at that point. I tried to hold on physically until the end. I'm especially sorry because we had a great opportunity to do well today. We can be at the front tomorrow, the race pace is there. I expect to feel better physically.”
ROMANO ALBESIANO
“Over the past few days, Aprilia has demonstrated immense competitiveness on the Sachsenring. Going from an extremely fast track like Assen to this one, we expected to have some difficulties which, however, we are not having. Unfortunately, Aleix is not on the track and Maverick’s crash certainly affected on his position on the grid. We are pleased with the Team Trackhouse result, we’ve finally seen the true Miguel. He deserves it, especially after all the injuries from last year.”