The Superbike World Championship is returning to the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, starting tomorrow, September 29th, and until Sunday, October 1st, and, once again, the circuit's 4.592 meter perimeter will be decisive for the award of the world scepter.
Álvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu fight for number 1 and, just like in 2009 when the title was discussed for the first time in Portimão and handed to the North American Ben Spies, in 2023, the championship will be decided again in the Algarve.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary, the AIA hosts for the 14th time the championship with which it was inaugurated in 2008, with victories by Troy Bayliss and it was with every detail that once again the circuit was prepared...from the painting to the comfort and safety standards that follow the latest specifications parameterized by Superbike promoters
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With ticket sales already exceeding the figures recorded in 2022 and with forecasts pointing to a weekend of summer temperatures – even around 30 degrees over the three days of competition – the seven races on the agenda divided between Saturday and Sunday, they promise to be widely discussed.
There are 47 points separating the leaders in the championship, Álvaro Bautista and Toprak Razgatlioglu. After a delay of 98 points at the Imola round, the seventh of the championship, the Turkish driver reduced that difference by half and arrives in Portimão with the fight for the title completely open.
In 2022, the Yamaha rider won two of the races at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve and Bautista one, but, to remain in the fight for the world title, the former world champion needs to finish the Algarve round less than 61 points behind the Spaniard , which technically means that he could even finish the three races of the weekend in second, behind his rival from Talavera de La Reina, and even so, keep the title open, but with very remote possibilities, as they would be separated for 60 points.
Along with the drivers who are part of the world championship's permanent squad, the Portuguese colors will once again be defended by two young Portuguese drivers, Dinis Borges and Tomás Alonso.
The two Portuguese 'wild cards' line up once again on the starting grid of the Supersport 300 and, even without the global pace of their rivals, they will once again seek to honor their colors and those of Portugal, whilst also seeking to score points in the final of both races to be held, something they have already achieved in previous participations.
At the controls of their Kawasaki Ninja 400, the first two classified in the national championship in 2022 know the 4592 meters of the circuit well and will naturally be a source of interest for spectators, who will be present at the circuit near the city of Portimão.
As is the prerogative of the Superbike World Championship, once again the paddock will be the main point of attraction. There, the podiums and recognition of the fastest on the track will take place during the qualifications, with a series of moments on the stage there, where drivers from the most diverse categories involved in the championship are present.
In parallel with all the action that will be experienced between the white lines of the 15 curves of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, the organization has prepared a series of parallel initiatives.
Outside the circuit, next to the main grandstand and the motorcycle parking lot, a leisure area was created with a bar and terrace, which will even have a stage with live music at the end of the day of action on the track.
Some brands also promote actions with drivers who defend their colors, with autograph sessions to be held during the weekend and which are aimed at everyone who follows the penultimate race of the World Cup, who can also discover the latest models on display on site.
Kawasaki reveals 2024 sports cars
A regular presence at the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve ticket office, Kawasaki will once again focus attention, with its riders, on an autograph session on Saturday afternoon.But the Japanese brand will also make the public presentation of the 2024 evolution of the Kawasaki ZX- 6R and the brand new and revolutionary Ninja ZX-4RR, the new machine with an in-line four-cylinder engine.
This will be revealed for the first time to the Portuguese public on Saturday afternoon, at 16:50 pm, at the Kawasaki Stand, when the brand's riders in the championship will also be present.
Bubba Brothers end with party
Closing the Sunday of races and right after the end of the last race of the weekend, the Algarve Bubba Brothers, a DJ duo from Faro, will close this 11th World Championship race, with a performance in front of the main stand, in the same place where the podium is usually placed. It will be a special moment that will once again take the Algarve to the whole world, with the television broadcast, and which some drivers are expected to join for a perfect end to the race that will remain in the memory of the new world champion.
Tickets for the Algarve round of the championship are now on sale at website of the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve, clicking here.
Opening Hours
Friday, September 29th
09:45-10:15 – World SSP300 Free Practice 1
10:30-11:15 – World SBK Free Practice 1
11:25-12:10 – World SSP Free Practice 1
14:15-14:45 – World SSP300 Free Practice 2
15:00-15:45 – World SBK Free Practice 2
16:00-16:45 – World SSP Free Practice 2
Saturday 30th of September
09:00-09:30 – World SBK Free Practice 3
09:45-10:05 – World SSP300 Tissot Superpole
10:25-10:45 – World SSP Tissot Superpole
11:10-11:25 – World SBK Tissot Superpole
12:40 – World SSP300 Race 1 (13 laps)
14:00 – World SBK Race 1 (20 laps)
15:15 – World SSP Race 1 (17 laps)
Sunday 1th of October
09:00-09:15 – World SBK Warm Up
09:25-09:40 – WorldSSP Warm Up
09:50-10:05 – WorldSSP300 Warm Up
11:00 – World SBK Tissot Superpole Race (10 laps)
12:30 – World SSP Race 2 (17 laps)
14:00 – World SBK Race 2 (20 laps)
15:15 – World SSP300 Race 2 (13 laps)
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