WorldSBK wins “not realistic” for Miguel Oliveira despite Portugal podium

A maiden WorldSBK podium is unlikely to be followed by a maiden victory at the Portuguese Round in the case of Miguel Oliveira.

The former MotoGP rider took third in Race 1 at Portimao after Yari Montella crashed out of second. He was able to lap faster than Iker Lecuona at times, but was never able to get close enough to really challenge, just as Lecuona couldn’t get close to his ultimately victorious teammate, Nicolo Bulega.

Afterwards, Oliveira admitted he didn’t have the pace to challenge the Ducatis, and felt that wouldn’t improve on Sunday.

“Yes, a good Saturday,” Miguel Oliveira reviewed, speaking to WorldSBK.com after Race 1.

“Finally, could bounce back a little bit in terms of speed from yesterday – it was a little bit of a strange day. But got back some speed and it was really tough; I didn’t have much more for the Ducatis out there.

“But I tried my best, also learnt a few things during the race with the tyre degradation, and just happy to be on the box; in front of your home crowd, the only thing better you can ask is for a win. 

“I think that’s not too realistic-looking out there, but we have two more opportunities tomorrow, so looking forward to that.”

Oliveira added that the podium was important to give confidence to the BMW team he’s joined this year that was champion in each of the past two World Superbike seasons with Toprak Razgatlioglu.

“It’s important for all of us,” he said of the Race 1 podium.

“It’s the first BMW podium with me. At least it gives the confidence back to the guys that I’m in the game and their job is paying off also. 

“So, thanks to everyone at BMW, in the garage, back in Munich, everyone that also put their faith in me. There’s work to do but I’m ready.”

Looking to Sunday, Oliveira said that podiums are in his objectives, but implied that he needs to manage the races correctly in order to achieve that.

“That [podiums in the Superpole Race and Race 2] would be perfect, but let’s see,” he said.

“The races are a bit tricky. You don’t race alone and everything will be super-tight. 

“Looking forward to the Superpole Race, should be a fast one. We definitely have the speed, so let’s see.”