After Miguel Oliveira's (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) Tissot Superpole Crash last round, his Team Principal Shaun Muir took a few moments during Free Practice 1 to give an update on the #88, providing a potential timescale for the Portuguese rider’s return to action albeit with the caveat that there is “no fixed timeline”, as well as outlining what Michael van der Mark can bring to the team as he returns to MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship race action at the Autodrom Most. The Dutchman competed with the team from 2021 to 2025, but moved into a test rider and FIM EWC race rider role for BMW for 2026.

TIMELINE UNCLEAR: “We have no fixed timeline. We’re going to let the experts take care of that”

Oliveira took to social media to announce the injury as a fractured scapula, a fractured rib, as well as damaged tendons in the shoulder area. It’s a tough break for the Portuguese rider as he has had a strong start to his rookie WorldSBK campaign, netting four podiums so far out of the 12 total races, including in Race 1 at Balaton Park. Muir was unequivocal in his pleasure to welcome van der Mark back to the team and in stating that the team stands resolute behind Danilo Petrucci. He also spoke about the potential return for Oliveira, discussing the usual recovery period for Oliveira’s injuries as well as a timeline for his return, although he made no guarantees.

On the #88’s condition and his replacement rider, Muir said: “We could clearly see that Miguel was injured after the crash. We have no fixed timeline. We’re going to let the experts take care of that. Normally, it's a six-week recovery. We’ll monitor that. It looks like post-Misano to pre-Donington, we hope he recovers well, and we’ll take our time. At the moment, we’ll just let nature run its course. Michael moved into the testing and endurance team, so it's kind of an extension of the team here. He’s certainly the most capable rider we have available, who we can put on the bike, and it’s an actual choice for us. We’ll look for him to be in the top ten. I think that would be a real statement for him. We need to keep two bikes on the grid at all times to support Danilo's efforts. Michael will do a fine job; he knows the bike really well and is riding the same bike on the test team. He’ll be on the bike at the Misano test next week, and he’ll follow that into Aragon. We’ll take a review of the situation after that, and hopefully it’ll coincide with Miguel coming back in the next five to six weeks.”

NEXT MAN UP: “It’s perfect for us that Michael is the one doing that development work on the bike”

Van der Mark moved into a test rider role for BMW for 2026, having spent five seasons racing for the German manufacturer, although his new responsibilities do include the Endurance World Championship. Fortunately for the team, while the conditions bringing about his return aren’t the best, he has plenty of familiarity with the bike, as it was his feedback which has played a critical role in building it, while he also tested in the winter alongside BMW’s new recruits and helped them with their adaptation.

On his view of how the team has moved forward this season, Muir said: “The bike has changed since Mickey was on the team, but as a test rider, he was the one testing the new or modified components, so it’s not unfamiliar to him. We can clearly see that every manufacturer is making steps forward, and we need to do the same. It’s perfect for us that Michael is the one doing that development work on the bike. We’ve made small steps in all areas. There are many electronics-focused improvements that are clearly documented, showing the steps we’ve taken over the years, and I think that work will continue. Danilo is clearly comfortable up in that top eight, and it'll take Mikey a bit of time to settle in, but I’m hopeful that we’ll make a step forward.”

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