Preview Report

Bradl and Takahashi prepare for Portimão challenge

Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team

Portuguese Round

Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal

WorldSBK 2017, Round 10

The tenth round of the 2017 FIM Superbike World Championship is due to get underway at Portimão’s Autodromo do Algarve, with Stefan Bradl and the Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team to be joined at this event by Takumi Takahashi. The 27-year-old Japanese rider will make his WorldSBK debut on board the Honda CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 around the scenic 4.592km circuit located on the southern coast of Portugal.

Despite having never raced at Portimão before, Bradl has built up a good knowledge of the track for himself: he got a first taste of the circuit last November during the European press launch of the new Fireblade and then he joined the team in two private tests in January and April. He now hopes to build up some momentum and enjoy a smooth weekend to improve on his recent results.

World Superbike action will get underway on Friday at 9:45 local time (GMT +1), with the two races scheduled at 15:00 on Saturday and Sunday.

WorldSBK, Round 08, Laguna Seca
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Stefan Bradl

Stefan Bradl 6

I look forward to the racing weekend at Portimão as it’s a track we know quite well having tested there earlier this year. I hope we can improve on the disappointing results we had at the Lausitzring and make some steps forward with the bike. I am also looking forward to welcoming Takumi Takahashi to the team, and it will be interesting to share the garage with him and get his feedback on the Fireblade.

Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team
Takumi Takahashi

Takumi Takahashi 72

I’m honoured as a rider who has continuously fought to race on the world stage that my achievements and experience have been recognised, and I have been given the opportunity to race in the World Superbike Championship. I’ll use all the experience I’ve gained racing the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2 in the All-Japan championship to aim high and contribute to the team. I’d like to ride my best in front of the World Superbike fans, so I hope they’ll look forward to seeing me.

Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team
Ronald ten Kate

Ronald ten Kate

Team Manager

It's our pleasure to welcome Takumi Takahashi to the team who is without a doubt a very talented rider with a wealth of experience on the Fireblade. He is showing great speed in the Japanese Superbike series and just missed a podium recently at the Suzuka 8-Hour race, so we are looking forward to working with him. Stefan will race for the first time in Portimão, although we have had some testing there earlier on in the season. We all know the track is one of the most challenging of the year, so hopefully both our riders will master it quickly. And get the best possible results.

Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team
Portuguese Round

Autodromo Internacional do Algarve, Portugal

WorldSBK 2017, Round 10

Rider Standings
Sunday, 20 Aug 2017 - Open world standings grid
# Rider Num Nationality Nat. Points Pts. Team Constructor Constr.
1 Jonathan REA 65 GBR 381 Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki
2 Tom SYKES 66 GBR 311 Kawasaki Racing Team Kawasaki
3 Chaz DAVIES 7 GBR 276 Aruba.it Racing Ducati
4 Marco MELANDRI 33 ITA 218 Aruba.it Racing Ducati
5 Alex LOWES 22 GBR 168 Pata Yamaha Yamaha
6 Xavi FORES 12 SPA 146 BARNI Racing Team Ducati
7 Michael VAN DER MARK 60 NDL 135 Pata Yamaha Yamaha
8 Leon CAMIER 2 GBR 121 MV Agusta Reparto Corse MV Agusta
9 Jordi TORRES 81 SPA 109 Althea BMW Racing Team BMW
10 Eugene LAVERTY 50 GBR 95 Milwaukee Aprilia Aprilia
11 Lorenzo SAVADORI 32 ITA 81 Milwaukee Aprilia Aprilia
12 Román RAMOS 40 SPA 77 Team Go Eleven Kawasaki
13 Leandro MERCADO 36 ARG 75 IodaRacing Team Aprilia
14 Stefan BRADL 6 GER 67 Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team Honda
15 Randy KRUMMENACHER 15 SWI 50 Puccetti Racing Kawasaki
16 Nicky HAYDEN 69 USA 40 Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team Honda
17 Alex DE ANGELIS 15 RSM 32 Pedercini Racing SC-Project Kawasaki
18 Raffaele DE ROSA 35 ITA 31 Althea BMW Racing Team BMW
19 Markus REITERBERGER 21 GER 29 Van Zon Remeha BMW
20 Leon HASLAM GBR 20
21 Ayrton BADOVINI 86 ITA 14 Grillini Racing Team Kawasaki
22 Ondrej JEZEK 37 CZE 12 Grillini Racing Team Kawasaki
23 Riccardo RUSSO 84 ITA 8 Guandalini Racing Yamaha
24 Jake DIXON 94 GBR 7 Dynavolt Intact GP Suter
25 Joshua BROOKES 25 AUS 4 ERMotorsport-EliteRoads.com.au Yamaha
26 Julian SIMON 60 SPA 4 Garage Plus Interwetten Kalex
27 Jake GAGNE 45 USA 2 Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team Honda