More than 50 thousand spectators watched the World Superbike Championship at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (AIA), in Portimão, last weekend. The Algarve stage of the World Cup, held between the 14th and 16th of February, brought together the best riders in the sport, some of whom had been in the region since August, training.
This was the 10th round of the Superbike World Championship and was played after about two months of interruption in the championship. A long-awaited moment by fans of this sport, which was reflected in the public's adhesion. The two races counting for WorldSBK were won by Jonathan Rea, who led the overall standings.
According to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, the number of spectators rose from 42 thousand in 2017 to more than 50 thousand this year, «a number that the organization considers impressive».
To this end, some changes were made to the championship “with the aim of creating again greater proximity between the public and the races. The placement of the podium on the paddock was one of the novelties, allowing all visitors the possibility of celebrating up close with their idols».
And if, on the one hand, there were motorcycling stars and their machines, celebrities from other areas were also present at the racecourse. On Saturday, the main attractions were Miguel Oliveira, a Portuguese rider who is competing in the biggest motorcycle championship in the world, Moto2, and television presenter Cristina Ferreira. On Sunday, the SAD members of Portimonense were at the AIA, accompanied by Jackson Martínez, a Colombian international whose signing by the Algarve emblem caused a stir, and Jadson, his teammate.
«Among exhibitions of various brands of motorcycles, offers of laps on the track with Miguel Oliveira, official merchandising spaces, many were the offers parallel to the main show, which are the races», according to the AIA.
In addition to the Superbike championship, where there is no Portuguese representative, rounds of three competitions were played in Portimão: World Supersport, World Supersport 300 and European Superstock 1000.
«Of these four championships, two of them had the presence of Portuguese riders. Among Supersports, Ivo Lopes made his championship debut riding the Yamaha R6 duly prepared for this appearance. In the Supersport 300, Tomás Alonso, who is making the championship in its entirety, took 25th place, while Pedro Fragoso, making his debut at the Mundial, took 35th place», concluded the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve.
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