Aprilia is second only to Kawasaki for wins in Portugal. The Italian manufacturer won here four times, their last victory was in 2013 with Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia). The number of podiums for Aprilia are 10, and the last one was in 2015’s Race 2, a 3rd from Leon Haslam. Last year they came close to adding another podium finish to their tally as Laverty was fourth in Race 2.
BMW won around Portimao in the first 2013 Race with Marco Melandri, which is also their only podium here. Last year Jordi Torres recorded excellent results for BMW in Portugal, finishing sixth and fifth in the races. This was the best weekend for a BMW rider in Portugal since Melandri’s win in 2013.
Ducati have won here four times from 2008 to 2011. Since the last win from Carlos Checa in Race 2, they have recorded no less than nine podium finishes. This took Ducati’s tally around Portimao to 16, which is biggest number for the track. Honda and Aprilia follow with 10.
Honda won the second 2014 race here thanks to Jonathan Rea, and it proved to be very consistent in the hands of the reigning World Champion, as he was able to score eight of Honda’s 10 podiums here. Last year they endured a disappointing weekend, as Bradl crashed in Race 1 and then withdrew from Race 2. Takumi Takahashi had his WorldSBK debut and was nevertheless able to score points with a 15th in Race 1 and a 10th in Race 2.
Rea’s double last year made Kawasaki the most successful manufacturer in Portugal with six wins. All these wins have been secured with their current riders; two for Sykes in 2013 and 2014 and four from Rea in the 2015 and 2017 weekends. They are the only manufacturer with a string of four wins here, a record they can improve this year.
Yamaha have won twice in Portugal; in 2009’s race 1 with Ben Spies – the weekend which saw the American crowned champion – and with Marco Melandri in Race 2, 2011. Last year Michael van der Mark recorded the sixth podium finish for Yamaha in Portugal, finishing 2nd in Race 2.
Last year Leon Camier was able to finish fourth for MV Agusta at Portimao. This is the best result for the Italian manufacturer, recorded six times in history.
Follow all the highs and lows with all the teams as they take on the rollercoaster Autodromo Internacional do Algarve from 14th – 16th September.
