At Portimao: “This Track is a Rollercoaster, and It Won’t Be a One-Bike Show”
As the championship heads into Portimao, anticipation is at an all-time high. Reflecting on Ducati’s phenomenal performance in Australia, Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) explained, “Australia is special for Ducati—our bikes there are blazing fast. But every track is different. In our recent tests, we saw strong performances from BMW and Bimota, so this round should reveal the true nature of the Championship.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) shared his excitement about Portimao’s unique character, saying, “Everyone knows our BMW was a powerhouse last year because we won many races, but Ducati’s been improving every weekend. This track is like a rollercoaster—its ups and downs force you to push harder over 20 laps. It’s almost my favorite track; I’m usually strong here, but racing is always a different challenge from testing.”
Nicolo Bulega (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati) added, “I expect Toprak to be outstanding here because it’s his track. He was unbeatable in the tests, and he’s the one to watch. I didn’t push to 100% during the test, so there’s plenty of room to improve.”
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team) was optimistic too: “We did some additional testing in March and made many modifications to our bike. The wind can be tough here, and the track’s traction isn’t ideal, but I’m excited to get on track. We’ve fine-tuned our setup, especially the electronics and power settings, so I expect fierce competition from all manufacturers.”
Scott Redding (MGM BONOVO Racing) highlighted the collective strength of the field: “Phillip Island was unique, but here at Portimao every team is competitive. Ducati is doing a great job, but this Championship isn’t about one bike dominating. The lap times from the test show Toprak was back in form. It promises to be great racing on a technical circuit that challenges every rider.”
Discussing the weather, Redding noted, “The cooler conditions will change things for the tires. We usually race in summer heat, which is tough over three races, so consistent track temperatures this weekend should help everyone perform better.”
Alex Lowes (bimota by Kawasaki Racing Team) added, “When track conditions change, everyone benefits because the playing field is level. I really enjoy riding at Portimao regardless of the temperature—there’s always fun and competitive racing here. I expect the same excitement this weekend.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu also commented on their test sessions, “We focused on refining our race setup with several 10-lap runs. The overall rhythm and pace were promising. We’re just waiting for race day—maybe we need a few tweaks, but we’re ready.”
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Maxus Yamaha) was cautiously optimistic, “We had a few days of testing at Portimao, although the weather wasn’t ideal, so our track time was limited. We found a good rhythm with the bike, and I hope clearer conditions this weekend will help us improve session by session.”
Alex Lowes summed it up nicely: “We made significant progress during winter testing and at Phillip Island, especially in balancing the bike. Adjusting key components without straying too far from our base settings was crucial. Now, I have more confidence, particularly under braking—a challenge I faced in Australia.”
Finally, Iker Lecuona (Honda HRC) shared his comeback update: “I’ll be back on track tomorrow. I feel really good—better than in Australia, where lingering injuries were still affecting me. I’m about 80% better now and regaining confidence step by step.”
With these insights and high expectations, Portimao is set to deliver a thrilling race weekend. Fans, buckle up for an intense battle as the riders push their limits on this rollercoaster track!
Kicking off their season at Portimao, WorldSSP300 riders came together for their traditional group photo.
Official WorldSBK Press Release
