Miguel Oliveira reckons an “intelligent” final sector in which he was able to outfox both Pol Espargaro and Jack Miller was key in snatching his first win at the death.
Oliveira-who becomes the first ever Portuguese to win a premier class event-managed to dive underneath the leading duo as they battled for supremacy into the final corner, slowing themselves up and allowing the Tech 3 man to slingshot to victory by just 0.316.
The KTM rider says that his maiden success-also the first for his Tech 3 squad- was primarily down to focussing on getting a good exit from the final couple of turns at the Red Bull Ring, having observed the area of track as a magnet for action in years past.
“For sure it was I think it was an intelligent move (race winning pass), because Pol (Espargaro) was starting to close the lines too much and they were losing a lot of ground, I had the speed anyway so I was just trying to wait for the right moment to overtake without losing time,” explained Oliveira following the Styrian GP.
“To do that with a Ducati in front of you is not easy, so they both started to fight at the last two corners and if you look at the history of Spielberg when two guys arrive together there it’s always the same (outcome).
“So I thought I had my chance there, I didn’t try to overtake anyone I was getting as close as possible while trying to prepare my exit from the corner.
“When I did it I was very surprised because I crossed the finish line and saw the chequered flag and nobody was on me so I knew I was going to win, and that moment is sweet, its super cool.”
Oliveira continued to describe the honour he feels having taken his Tech 3 outfit’s first ever premier class success after 19 years of competition.
The ’18 Moto2 runner-up says bagging the win for the Herve Poncharal-run outfit is “special”, the result coming in only the team’s second year running KTM machinery following nearly two decades as Yamaha’s official satellite organisation.
“I cannot tell you how much it means to me, because many things have happened at the same time in terms of historic result, first MotoGP win for Portugal in the 900th grand prix, then I get to drive this BMW home (prize for winning race) I cannot believe it, its super nice to give the team its first victory,” added Oliveira.
“Just seeing all the names that rode for Tech 3 and all of them never won a race, and yeah to put my name up there in this very special place makes me proud and gives me a lot of motivation and also stress release to keep on working.”
