Round 7
The action has kicked off at Portimao with a focus on records, future plans, negotiations, and a brand-new schedule dominating the conversation. The MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship has touched down at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, where the discussions are as intense as the on-track battles. From future outlooks to 2023 revenge missions, and the much-anticipated sunset schedule, we’ve compiled the most striking quotes from Thursday at the Pirelli Portuguese Round.
Alvaro Bautista (Aruba.it Racing – Ducati): “We began talks after Most and we’re negotiating… nothing’s signed yet.”
Bautista shared an update on his 2025 plans: “It’s been crazy—one day people say I’ve signed, the next they claim my bike’s going to someone else, and the day after, it’s a different story. We started discussions after Most, and we’re negotiating. Both Ducati and I want what’s best for us. There’s no fight, just talks. Everything you see on social media is fake. We haven’t signed anything, but we’re close. Last year was tough, but especially on Sunday, I had two great battles with Toprak, winning both in the last corner. This year’s different—we’re not performing like last year, but after Most, I’ve felt better with the bike, and I’m confident this weekend can help us continue improving. It would be fun to end Toprak’s winning streak! Right now, I don’t feel ready for that, but anything can happen if we reach our best performance.”
Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team): “I feel like it’s my turn this year… with wings, maybe I’ll fly this time!”
Looking ahead to the race and reflecting on 2023, Razgatlioglu said: “It feels like it’s my turn this year! I’m just waiting for the race. Seeing the WorldSBK Instagram account replaying last year’s last-corner battle has motivated me even more! I’m excited to be back at Portimao, one of my favorite tracks. I’m trying to break the record—Alvaro and Jonny both have 11 wins, so if I win Saturday’s race, I’ll tie them, but I need one more! Anything is possible in racing. I’m just focusing on each race, like in Most. Two days ago, I watched my big jump again, and with BMW, I might just fly this time!”
Danilo Petrucci (Barni Spark Racing Team): “I’d like to stay with Barni… we have the potential to win races.”
Petrucci shared his thoughts on the Most crash and his future: “After the crash, Alvaro and I talked and immediately agreed it wasn’t anyone’s fault—we were just three riders on different lines at the same point. I sent him a message afterward to check on him. I have a good relationship with him and a lot of respect. I like Portimao, but last year I wasn’t very fast. The winter test was okay, and this round’s new schedule will be different—it’ll be hot, and managing the tires will be key. I’m eager to see our speed because we’ve been fighting for the top five, and I want to keep that up. I’m waiting on Alvaro’s decision, but I’d like to stay with Barni, and I think that will be the future. We have the potential to win races if we get everything right, and I hope to announce my future soon.”
Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha): “We need to be in the top five regularly now. That’s the goal.”
Rea has seen progress with the Yamaha R1 and aims to keep it up: “Portimao’s been a good track for me in the past, but changing teams can change everything. The Yamaha has its strengths here, but there are areas we need to work on. The test was useful, and we’ve fine-tuned the setup since then. The evening race brings a different vibe. Portimao always draws a lot of support from Northern Ireland. The key for this season has been qualifying well, and we’ll focus on that tomorrow and Saturday. Hopefully, we can qualify in the front rows and make the races easier. It’s a physical track, but knowing it well can help find that extra bit. I’ve always said the aim is to improve step by step. I want to battle inside the top five—that’s the next step. I felt I had the pace for that at Most, and I had a strong weekend at Donington. Regularly being in the top five is the goal now.”
Garrett Gerloff (Bonovo Action BMW): “It’s nice to have something secured… excited to stay in WorldSBK.”
Reflecting on his 2025 contract and upcoming race at Portimao, Gerloff said: “I’m really excited to have a chance to stay in WorldSBK next year, especially with this team. Last year at Portimao was good for me—I had some strong races and finished fourth twice, which was my best result. I want to match that this year, at least. We’ve struggled to replicate those results with a similar package, and we’re not sure why. I’m also excited about the new schedule—no more 6am wake-ups on Saturday and Sunday! I can get used to that. Last year’s finish and the first test at Jerez had me expecting a better year, but it’s been tough. It’s reassuring to have my future secured, so I don’t have to worry about that anymore.”
Michael Ruben Rinaldi (Team Motocorsa Racing): “My goal is to stay in the paddock.”
Rinaldi discussed his uncertain future and recent progress: “The last round at Most was better than previous ones, but we still haven’t reached our potential. Portimao is a track I like, and last year I was strong here. I’m looking forward to finding a good feeling with the bike on this rollercoaster of a track. It’ll be different racing at a new time. I haven’t been on the podium in a while, and I miss that feeling. Last year, I had many podiums and one victory. My goal is to get back to the top positions. I need to be realistic, though, and our goal this weekend is to improve on the last round. We’re missing results. I didn’t expect to be uncompetitive for so many races. Switching from a factory team to an independent team changes everything, but we didn’t expect this. We’re working hard to get back to where we should be. I want to stay in WorldSBK, and I think there’s a good chance. But right now, my focus is on achieving the best results with the team I’m in to secure a good future. My goal is to stay in the paddock.”
Andrea Locatelli (Pata Prometeon Yamaha): “I’m really happy to be the top Yamaha, it shows the progress we’ve made.”
Locatelli enters the Portuguese Round as the leading Yamaha rider and hopes to maintain that position: “It’s important to get back on track right after the podium at Most because I think my riding quality right now is pretty good. This is a good track for us—we’ve had podiums here before, and we’re always fast. It’s another great opportunity. This season, we’ve had some bad luck, lost positions, and a lot of points in the standings. That’s not so important, though, because my focus is on being competitive everywhere, in every condition. We don’t have many podiums, but we’re always close to the top five, and the competition is tough. I’m really happy to be the top Yamaha because it shows the progress we’ve made in the past, now, and hopefully, in the future.”
The 2024 Pirelli Portuguese Round Media Event at Palmares Golf in Lagos kicked off the weekend’s racing festivities with fun and excitement.
WorldSBK riders Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes, WorldSSP rider Marcel Schrötter, WorldWCR riders Beatriz Neila, Nicole van Aswegen, and Ran Yochay, along with Portuguese riders Tomás Alonso and Dinis Borges, participated in two entertaining golf challenges, showcasing their skills off the track.
In both the Long Drive Competition and the Putting Competition, WorldSBK star Alex Lowes emerged as the top performer, dominating both events. Among the WorldWCR competitors, Beatriz Neila stood out, finishing as the best in both challenges.
Official WordSBK Press Release
