Portuguese GP – The riders eager to discover the Portimaõ circuit in MotoGP –

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The riders eager to discover the Portimaõ circuit in MotoGP

Portuguese GP - The riders eager to discover the Portimaõ circuit in MotoGP -

Several MotoGP riders give their opinion on the Portimaõ track where the final of the season is taking place for the first time on the occasion of the 2020 Portuguese GP. Everyone expects new sensations on this technical circuit, which presents a lot of reliefs and rapid blind curves. Statements.

Honor to the new MotoGP world champion, Joan Mir: "I was able to do a few laps with a road sportswoman and I raced on this track in 2015", recalls the 23-year-old Mallorcan. "It’s a different track than the others: its configuration may suit our bike, at least on paper".

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  • MNC file :

"But I can not say much more given that we have never ridden there with our MotoGP: we will already have a more precise idea on Friday evening", predicts the official Suzuki, who aims to add the constructor title to both coronations already obtained on his GSX-RR (driver and team titles).

For Franco Morbidelli, the sensational aspect of the Portuguese circuit will undoubtedly spice up this unprecedented final: the differences in height are extremely pronounced, especially in the famous "Toboggan" between turn 8 and 9. MNC has already had the heart at the edge of the eyes in this insane portion with a "simple" sports car as standard, front wheel raised in third before diving to the left at full speed !

Portuguese GP - The riders eager to discover the Portimaõ circuit in MotoGP -

What about the impressive turn 15, the last ultra-fast downhill curve where the most efficient motorcycles tested by MNC happily shed 200 km / h on the hill at the entrance of the long straight line of 969 m? ! A real roller coaster with "only" 200 hp, so imagine with almost 100 more canassons on MotoGP !

"I am very excited and curious at the same time to discover this circuit riding a MotoGP", assures Morbidelli, winner of the last race in Valencia (Spain). "I already raced there in 2013 and I returned there a few months ago (with an R1, Editor’s note). It’s a track with a lot of adrenaline so it will be interesting. or I feel comfortable because we have a very good package ".

Same story for Cal Crutchlow, who is competing this weekend in his last race as a starter before taking on the role of test rider for Yamaha. Advantage for the 34-year-old Briton: he knows the Portuguese circuit having trodden it in 2008 and 2009 in World Supersport then in World Superbike.

A "different" and "interesting" route

"I am delighted to come back to Portimão: I have very fond memories of it," said the Honda-LCR rider. “I won my Supersport title there and had good results there in WorldSBK. I haven’t done a single test since, but I know the track, it’s not like I was going there. ‘blinded".

Portuguese GP - The riders eager to discover the Portimaõ circuit in MotoGP -

"And then it’s nice to be able to compete there my last race as a starter: I’m sure everyone will give 100%. Some portions will suit certain brands more or less well, others not: whatever. ‘Either way, it’s going to be interesting,’ predicts issue 35.

His friend Jack Miller, a driver who is not really cold in the eyes, for his part considers the Algarve route "fun". The n ° 63 – author of a breathless duel with Morbidelli in Valence – aims to achieve a good performance there before joining the official Ducati team alongside Francesco Bagnaia.

"I was lucky enough to be able to test a Superbike ahead of the French GP, in quite different circumstances, of course," recalls the Australian. "It was a lot of fun because the bike rearing up in several places. We even did a little race simulation with Dovizioso and Petrucci and we had a good laugh! But this weekend, let’s get down to business: I refueled so I can not wait to be there! ".

One last million dollar race for Dovizioso ?!

Andrea Dovizioso, in fact, will compete in his last race on the handlebars of the official Ducati during this GP of Portugal. Before taking a sabbatical, the Italian would like to end this chapter in a good way, while his 2020 season has so far been quite disappointing with only a podium in Jerez (Spain) and a victory in Austria…

Portuguese GP - The riders eager to discover the Portimaõ circuit in MotoGP -

"I really want to end on a good note because there is still a possibility of finishing second or third in the championship, even if it looks complicated because we are now quite far from Franco", announces DesmoDovi, currently tied for 8th in the provisional. points with Fabio Quartararo (125 pts). 

Moreover, this objective of finishing on the final podium does not meet only sporting ambitions: Andrea Dovizioso’s contract with Ducati provides for a fairly significant performance bonus. Some Italian colleagues mention the tidy sum of "one million dollars" if he finishes 2nd or 3rd !

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Hence the annoyance expressed by n ° 4 about the lack of sanction against Yamaha riders after the discovery of the famous non-compliant valves on their M1: if Morbidelli (142 pts, Viñales (127 pts) and Quartarato (125 pts) had been penalized, Dovizioso would be guaranteed to be third in the championship.

"Everything remains open, because it is a new track for everyone", judges Andrea Dovizioso, who says he is "delighted to be able to set foot on this track for my last race with Ducati".

Oliveira at home in the Algarve

Finally, a driver approaches this Grand Prix in Portimaõ with a lot of emotions since it is his national race: Miguel Oliveira does not hide his joy and his pride in competing in this final at home, even if the Covid-19 deprives him of the presence of his fans in the stands…

Portuguese GP - The riders eager to discover the Portimaõ circuit in MotoGP -

"I am very happy and excited to be able to race on my land, seven years after the last Grand Prix in Portugal (in Estoril, editor’s note), certainly in a slightly different context", admits the KTM-Tech3 rider, surprise winner of the GP from Styria. "It’s always a pleasure to ride at home, especially when it comes to the final".

“Everyone should be a little more relaxed which is enough to fully enjoy this track. I think the fans will enjoy the show because it is a track that really stands out from what we are used to. my part that I will give them a good race ", adds the future official KTM rider alongside Binder.

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"It is a rather particular course, different compared to the others", also recognizes Pol Espargaro. "As Miguel pointed out, this is besides the final event of the season: there are still high stakes, but the atmosphere is still more relaxed. On top of that, he does relatively good in terms of temperatures, it will save us a lot of difficulties in the morning ".

"We are also lucky to be able to count on Miguel, who knows the place well. I am sure that we will be able to rely on his knowledge", hopes the Spaniard, who is leaving KTM for Honda-Repsol next year. . "I hope in any case that we can have a nice weekend and climb a little higher in the hierarchy, because there are interesting things within our reach".

The circuit Autodromo internacional do Algarve (Portimaõ)

  • Absolute lap record: no official MotoGP reference
  • Race lap record : no official MotoGP reference
  • Rotation : clockwise
  • Turns : 6 on the left and 9 on the right
  • Length : 4592 m
  • Width : 18 m
  • Straight line : 969 m
  • Running distance : 114.80 km (25 laps)

Provisional MotoGP classification before the Portuguese GP

  1. Joan MIR Suzuki SPA 171 points
  2. Franco MORBIDELLI Yamaha ITA 142 points
  3. Alex RINS Suzuki SPA 138 points
  4. Maverick VIÑALES Yamaha SPA 127 points
  5. Fabio QUARTARARO Yamaha FRA 125 points
  6. Andrea DOVIZIOSO Ducati ITA 125 points
  7. Pol ESPARGARO KTM SPA 122 points
  8. Jack MILLER Ducati AUS 112 points
  9. Takaaki NAKAGAMI Honda JPN 105 points
  10. Miguel OLIVEIRA KTM POR 100 points
  11. Brad BINDER KTM RSA 87 points
  12. Danilo PETRUCCI Ducati ITA 78 points
  13. Johann ZARCO Ducati FRA 71 points
  14. Alex MARQUEZ Honda SPA 67 points
  15. Valentino ROSSI Yamaha ITA 62 points
  16. Francesco BAGNAIA Ducati ITA 47 points
  17. Aleix ESPARGARO Aprilia SPA 34 points
  18. Cal CRUTCHLOW Honda GBR 29 points
  19. Iker LECUONA KTM SPA 27 points
  20. Stefan BRADL Honda GER 18 points
  21. Bradley SMITH Aprilia GBR 12 points
  22. Tito RABAT Ducati SPA 10 points
  23. Michele PIRRO Ducati ITA 4 points
  24. Lorenzo SAVADORI Aprilia ITA 

Provisional rankings for manufacturers and MotoGP teams 

Portuguese GP - The riders eager to discover the Portimaõ circuit in MotoGP -

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