Oliveira Adapts to Superbike Challenge at Phillip Island, Shows Promise with BMW

Phillip Island, Australia – Miguel Oliveira concluded the first day of World Superbike testing at Phillip Island as the fastest BMW rider, securing 11th position overall across the two sessions. The Portuguese rider demonstrated a quick adaptation to the Australian circuit, initially placing 10th in the first session and finishing closely within the top 10.

Early Adaptation and BMW Development

The day focused on refining the BMW M 1000 RR’s setup and gathering crucial data. Oliveira’s consistent performance highlighted positive progress in the bike’s development within the BMW team. He ended the day with a best lap time of 1:30.563, +1.218 seconds behind leader Nicolò Bulega .

Transition to Superbike Racing

Oliveira acknowledged the significant shift from MotoGP to Superbike racing, describing it as a substantial change in his career. He noted the importance of finding the right balance with the bike and tires to effectively utilize his riding experience . He stated that the tests at Phillip Island represented the first real opportunity for substantial winter testing, previously hampered by rain in Europe.

Team Dynamics and Expectations

Despite limited testing opportunities due to weather conditions, Oliveira expressed satisfaction with the team’s efforts to make him perceive comfortable with the M 1000 RR. He is navigating the challenge of being a rookie in the championship while riding for the reigning World Champion team. He also noted that the transition to Superbike racing was comparable in magnitude to his previous move from Moto2 to MotoGP .

Social Media Reflection

Oliveira shared his experience on social media, posting on Instagram, “When you bring the German office to Australia it’s strange at first, then you sink in. Happy with the first day,” reflecting a relaxed yet positive outlook on his initial day of testing .

Looking Ahead

With the 2026 World Championship season opener scheduled for the following week at Phillip Island, Oliveira and the BMW team will continue to refine the bike’s setup and optimize performance in preparation for the competitive season ahead.