The Superbike World Championship will continue on the asphalt of the Algarve International Autodrome until the year 2022. The contract renewal was signed this Friday, the 23rd of August, in an open-air ceremony that took place at Jardim 1º de Dezembro, in Portimão.
Paulo Pinheiro, CEO of the Autódromo, recalled that the Superbike World Championship is «the biggest motorcycling event in Portugal».
Isilda Gomes, mayor of Portimão, stressed that, «for a tourist destination like ours, which has to promote itself externally, these tests are fundamental. They attract tens of thousands of people and also motivate thousands of news. But this is not only good for Portimão, it is also good for the Algarve and the country».
For this reason, the mayor announced, in a decision that was "unanimously approved in a Chamber meeting", after only the ATP (Portimão Tourism Association, which brings together hoteliers and other businessmen) supporting the tests. year it is the Municipality itself that guarantees this support to the Autodromo, allocating nearly 120 thousand euros for two races. They are the Superbike World Championship (with around 47 thousand euros) and the International Six Days Enduro (71 thousand euros).
Despite the support, Isilda Gomes made a point of stressing that the Autodromo is “a net contributor to the Portimão Council. Only for IMI this year will have to pay 300 thousand euros». «The AIA brings economic return to the municipality, it is sustainable, it hosts activities almost all 365 days of the year», reinforced the mayor.
In addition, Paulo Pinheiro underlined, Superbike races on the Algarve circuit ensure “global media exposure”. This responsible hopes that the 50 thousand spectators last year for the SBK weekend will now be surpassed, because, for example, all tickets for the VIP Tower have already been sold. and sales to other spaces, namely to cabins, are taking place "at a higher rate".
But it is not only during the race weekend (this year from 6th to 8th of September) that Superbikes attract people and businesses to the Autodromo and the Algarve. “During the year, with several tests and events, we reached more than 90 days on the track only with motorcycles, and this shows how important the World Superbike is, confirming its economic impact”.
During the current weekend, for example, the Portimonense circuit is receiving official tests from the various teams participating in the competition, but had already received the tests from the teams in January, as well as track events promoted by the brands, among other events. «There are more than 90 track days on a motorcycle just because we have this championship here».
João Fernandes, president of the Algarve Tourism Region, would insist on the same key: it is «a competition with a great return», which, directly, represents a return «over 7,5 million euros, just during approves". Not to mention media exposure at a global level.
«Sports tourism has been growing in the last 20 years and it is my wish that it continues to grow in the Algarve, at the speed of competition. The time has come for the Algarve to be recognized as the best sport tourism destination thanks to its mild climate, good infrastructure and hospitality», added the president of RTA.
For his part, Paulo Pinheiro also spoke of the «affective bond» that the Autodromo and the company Parkalgar, its owner, have with the Superbike World Championship. «It was a race in which we participated for five years», in an initial and international affirmation phase of the Algarve track.
The signing of the new contract, which took place outdoors in the city center, was also attended by Gregorio Lavilla, sporting director of the Superbike World Championship, as well as three championship drivers: the champion in title and leader of the 2019 world championship Jonathan Rea, second-placed Alvaro Bautista and also Eugene Laverty, ambassador of the Portuguese competition and former driver of the Parkalgar team.
Gregorio Lavilla stressed that the Autódromo do Algarve has "a very challenging track", which would be corroborated by the drivers.
Eugene Laverty, who last year obtained the pole position in the race in Portimão, he is still now recovering from a wrist injury, but, even so, he promises to fight back.
Alvaro Bautista, who has never raced on the Algarve circuit, even knows the track, having tested here last year. But will enjoy the current test weekend to better adapt to the track, which he considers “very difficult, with many ups and downs”.
Jonathan Rea, who is the leader of the SBK Championship, is confident. And he highlights, in addition to the pleasure of returning to the Autodromo, the fact that his family also enjoys coming to the Algarve: «it's a beautiful place for a Brit like me to come on vacation», he joked.
What is certain is that, apart from the Superbike World Championship, which attracts tens of thousands of motorcycling fans to the Algarve, with the Spanish and British at its head, by the end of the year there will not be a single day off on the Algarve track.
In terms of events, as Paulo Pinheiro recalled, the circuit will also include the Le Mans Series Europe, the Algarve Classic Festival, the International Six Days Enduro, the 24 hours Citroen, among many other events.
«The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve has an annual occupancy of more than 330 days», concluded Paulo Pinheiro. And many of those days, with the signing of this contract, continued to be linked to motorcycles.
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