WorldSBK, Sportrik Media - Miguel Oliveira says his main focus remains adapting to the BMW M 1000 RR as he continues preparation for the next round of the WorldSBK championship following a disrupted test at the Algarve International Circuit in Portimao.
The two-day test on 9–10 March effectively turned into a single day of running after rain arrived during the afternoon of the opening day and persisted long enough to keep the circuit wet throughout day two. As a result, track activity was limited, with only a handful of riders such as Tommy Bridewell, Philipp Oettl, and Xavi Vierge venturing out in the difficult conditions.
Oliveira’s running was therefore restricted to the first day of testing, but the Portuguese rider delivered an encouraging performance by finishing fourth fastest overall. He placed behind the Ducati machines of Sam Lowes and Nicolo Bulega, as well as the Bimota ridden by Alex Lowes.
“The Portimao test was productive but very short.”
“Our priority remains to get me up to speed on my adaptation to the bike so I can prepare for the race weekend.”
Despite the limited track time, Oliveira described the initial feeling on the BMW as positive, while emphasising that further mileage will be crucial to fully understand the bike’s behaviour.
“In the short time I had on track, the feelings were positive, but we need more time.”
“Our goal in the test was to achieve good, quality time on top of the M 1000 RR. I was able to get a taste of the Portimao track on my bike, which on its own is already a lot to learn.”
The World Superbike Championship will return to Portimao on 27–29 March for the Portuguese Round, the second event of the 2026 season. For Oliveira, the home race represents an important opportunity to continue his adaptation process while delivering a strong performance in front of local supporters.
“As for the upcoming round, it’s the wish of every rider to race in their home country. For me, it’s no different. I’m excited and motivated to please my crowd with the best possible performance.”
Oliveira heads into the Portuguese round after a challenging season opener in Australia. A Superpole crash forced him to start from the back of the grid for all three races, although he still managed to recover to the top ten in both full-distance races and was running inside the top nine in the Superpole Race before a gear-shift issue prevented him from completing the final lap at full racing speed
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