Miguel Oliveira has confirmed he will return to action for round three of the 2023 MotoGP World Championship at Circuit of The Americas after successfully passing his mandatory medical.

The RNF Racing Aprilia rider was forced to skip round two in Argentina after injuring his hip in a collision with Marc Marquez during the Portimao season opener.

Though Oliveira had travelled to Termas de Rio Hondo with the intention of racing, he reveals he made the decision to withdraw due to pain when trying to extend his leg over the bike.

However, after convalescing in the two-weeks between races, Oliveira confirmed he’d been passed fit for the Grand Prix of The Americas.

“The injury was a tendon that was damaged in the hip, the problem was I couldn’t open the leg and fixate the leg over the bike without a big pain,” he told media in the pre-event press conference.

“The journey to Argentina was very long, I was in a lot of pain for three days, so I had to take the decision - it was tough but I had to take the decision to rest. 

“It is a shame the races were back-to-back, but from everything that happened the Sunday, I am happy to not have any major injuries out of that.”

The abrupt end to Oliveira’s home MotoGP event spoiled what was shaping up to be a strong afternoon for the local hero having worked his way up to second position at the time of his exit. Though he expects a more challenging weekend ahead in the United States, he says he is simply happy to get his 2023 season underway again.

“Portimao is a track that more suited my style and not the areas where I was struggling with the Aprilia, such as braking. I think I will struggle more in America, but we have the opportunity to start working on this and get more comfortable with the bike. I just want to restart my season here again.”

'Case closed' over Marquez MotoGP clash - Oliveira

While Oliveira returns this weekend, the same cannot be said for Marquez, the Repsol Honda man set to sit out a second consecutive event after injuring his hand in the smash. 

The Spaniard - who was blamed and punished by stewards for his part in the clash - has come in for intense scrutiny since the accident, but Oliveira insists he bears no grudges.

“Myself and Marc cleared everything on Sunday, he came to check on me in the medical centre, he explained what happened, he apologised, so it is case closed for me. 

“Since then, Everything else I haven’t paid much attention, I hope he comes back soon and recovers fully.”