The FIM Superbike World Championship rolls into the Algarve International Circuit this weekend (March 27-29) for round two of the season.
After a dominant start in Australia, Italian rider Nicolò Bulega (Ducati) arrives in Portimão as the man to beat. The Ducati rider swept all three races in the opening round and now has his sights set on an incredible 10-race winning streak that is just one win away – a feat only a handful of legends of the sport such as Toprak Razgatlioglu, Álvaro Bautista and Jonathan Rea have achieved.
Portuguese fans will be watching closely as Miguel Oliveira lines up on home soil, where he has already won a GP back when he was competing in the MotoGP championship. One encouraging fact is that history is on his side: BMW bikes have dominated in Portimão in recent years, winning the last six races at the circuit.
Meanwhile, former champions Álvaro Bautista and Jonathan Rea are the only current riders with victories in Portimão – with Rea boasting an impressive 13 wins at the track. All eyes will be on whether they can challenge Bulega’s early dominance.
Further down the grid, a new generation is gaining momentum. Riders like Yari Montella and Lorenzo Baldassarri arrive full of confidence after claiming their first-ever Superbike podiums in Australia, while Bimota teammates Axel Bassani and Alex Lowes are also pushing to stay in the mix after strong performances.
Not everyone had a smooth start to the season, though. Yamaha struggled badly in Australia, and riders like Andrea Locatelli will be eager to bounce back on a track where he’s previously reached the podium.
Adding to the excitement, there are also fresh faces and comeback stories this weekend. Somkiat Chantra is expected to return after injury, while Tommy Bridewell makes his mark with a new team (Advocates).
Tickets for the event are available on the Algarve International Circuit website, with prices starting at €32.50.
