After getting within a few tenths of being top KTM in only his second MotoGP appearance, i෴n Argentina, Tech3 rookie Miguel Oliveira is aiming to maintain momentum by taking the 'next step' at COTA this weekend.

“Austin is a very particular track, because it has a lot of corners, I think the most in the whole championship. It’s a very long track, bumpy, with a lot of highs and lows on the track, so it’s fun to ride and I’m sure to ride it on a GP bike is going to be a🃏mazing!" said the Portuguese, who claimed eleventh place at Termas de Rio Hondo, directly behind factory RC16 rider Pol Espargaro

"Iღ’m just working to keep our results at least the same as it were in Argentina. I feel we need to solidify our points position a bit more, so this is what I’m aiming to do in Austin; it’s basically score points again and do the next steps wiᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚth the bike and my riding."

Team-mate Hafizh Syahrin was also in the wheeltracks of a factory KTM rider in 🎃Argentina, taking the chequered flagꩲ in 16th place, 1.2sfrom Johann Zarco.

“After a good improvement in the race in🥂 Argentina, I really start to get used to the bike and can’t wait to be at COTA," said the Malaysian, who is still seeking his first KTM points.

"The last race was very g꧋ood, I was able to stick with Johann [Zarco] and was ജclose to the points.

"We look forward to the next one. I hope it’s going well! I’m truly excited to jump on the KTM again, as🌃 my feeling improves, I want to show this from the first sessioﷺn. Let’s see what we can do.”

Team Manager Herve Poncharal added: “Austin is alwaꦿys spec𓂃ial, a very interesting and tough track to master and to understand, but with the very strong performance and the good feeling the whole Red Bull KTM Tech3 team had in Argentina, I think we all arrive here in Texas with a lot of optimism, energy and with the desire to continue to help the KTM MotoGP project to grow.

"It was exciting and important to see Pol [Espargaro] and Miguel pushin🌺g each other, which is the best key for pe🌼rformance and at the end of the day, performance is what you need to develop a bike.

So I really believe and hope that Migu🐻el and Hafizh will show their best in Texas and that we will continue our mission, which is to close the gap to the top guys at every single grand prix."