Jerez de la Frontera: Mahindra MGP3O rider Miguel Oliveira added to his points score at today’s Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, with a determined ride against the odds to 14th place.

It was a conspicuously brave effort, but far short of the goals and expectations of the only Indian manufacturer in World Championship motorcycle racing, after a weekend where both riders struggled to find the handling balance to suit the sinuous 4.423-km circuit outside the sherry capital of Spain.

The Portuguese rider had qualified 12th, but was in strong form for the race after a good start. He was starting to work his way through the 10-strong leading group when he was struck by arm-pump problems after only five of 23 laps. From there on the race was an endurance test. The Mahindra was performing perfectly, but Miguel was unable to defend himself under brakes.

Bravely he soldiered on, finally finishing 14th.

Second rider Arthur Sissis continued his run of bad luck, with a gear-shifting problem possibly caused by overheating the clutch at the start. He dropped to the back then pitted for early retirement. After illness and then falling victim in a first-corner crash at round two, the Australian has yet to open his points score in his first season with Mahindra.

Jerez marked the start of the European season after three ‘flyaway’ races. The next Moto3 race is in France at Le Mans in two weeks’ time when the eight World Championship Mahindra MGP3O machines will be joined by two more customer bikes competing in the FIM CEV International Championship support race.