MotoGP winner Miguel Oliveira and two-time British Superbike Champion Kyle Ryde recently shared the track at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve during a No Limits-sponsored track day, both testing their new bikes. Oliveira continued his adjustment to the BMW M1000 RR, which he first rode in Jerez, while Ryde was on the Ducati Panigale V4 S, a model closely related to the V4 R he will race in next year’s BSB season.
Their joint appearance in Portugal offers a glimpse of an alternate reality, considering Ryde’s history in the Red Bull Rookies Cup and CEV Moto3 Championship from 2011 to 2013, and Oliveira’s start in the World Championship with Estrella Galicia Honda and Mahindra. Although they have never competed directly or ridden together regularly, Oliveira’s switch from MotoGP to World Superbike in 2026 brings them closer in the racing world.
Next year, Ryde aims to be the first rider since Niall McKenzie in 1998 to claim three consecutive BSB victories, while Oliveira will debut in the Superbike World Championship with BMW Team. The BMW squad has been dominant recently with 39 wins over the last two seasons, largely thanks to Toprak Razgatlioglu and Michael van der Mark, with Razgatlioglu securing two titles.
Fan Take: This crossover between two accomplished riders from different series is thrilling for racing enthusiasts, highlighting fresh rivalries and storylines for the upcoming seasons. Oliveira’s move into World Superbike could shake up the championship, while Ryde’s pursuit of a historic winning streak adds extra excitement to BSB, signaling a vibrant future for motorcycle racing.
