English
Italiano
Portimao, the last stage before a well-deserved summer vacation. The Superbike shook up its program with the sunset challenge in Portugal. It's too bad that the script remained the same, with Toprak dominating the scene, record after record.
The Turkish rider reached 13, managing to. once again, beat the competition, represented by Ducati, as usual. If, in the top class, the Ducatis can do nothing but bow before the superiority of the BMW, in the SSP, it's the opposite because the V2 continues to shine, this time with Yari Montella, star of a super one-two in spite of Huertas.
On the one hand., it's time to celebrate. On the other, it's time to lick some wounds. Luckily, a well-deserved vacation has arrived and everyone can finally relax.
THE GOOD - He's probablt not talked about enough. The fact is that Yari Montella is experiencing a real revival with the Barni team, to such an extent that he's ready to jump into the SBK next year. The rider from Campania was, in fact, the star of the Portuguese GP, with a one-two that reopen the championship challenge. Of course, we must also mention Toprak who, in the top class, continues to make the best of things, slaying records and staging one gag after another.
THE BAD - Portimao was yet another weekend to forget for Michael Ruben Rinaldi. The Motocorsa rider didn't collect a single point in Portugal, keeping up with his woes and the team lead by Lorenzo Mauri. To think that the rider from Romagna was on the podium celebrating last year. But those days are long gone.
THE UGLY - Nicolò Bulega made a discovery last week: sitting on a plane idling on the runway with the AC on is more dangerous than racing a bike at 300 km/h. In Portugal, the top class rookie had to battle all weekend with a 38°C fever, a sore throat, and a cold. But he still threw his heart over the obstacle, clenched his teeth, and turned out to be the star of a Sunday that was all heart and grit, coming within just 35 thousandths of the victory. So much for: "Men with a 37°C fever are knocked out."
THE DISAPPOINTMENT - Besides Toprak, Portimao highlighted the potential of van der Mark's and Gerloff's BMWs, both who were surprisingly featured in the top ten. It's too bad that one was missing from the roll call. Who was it? Simple. Scotto Redding, who was only able to collect the pittance of two points in three races. He couldn't have done worse than that ...
THE CONFIRMATION - It may be the longest-running bike in the line-up, but Alex Lowes and the Kawasaki seem to be a pair that works. Even in Portugal, the Japanese rider proved what he's made of, taking yet another podium in this post-Johnny Rea season. Danilo Petrucci should also be mentioned, back in the top three after Most.
THE ERROR - Too good to believe. Alvaro Bautista was relishing a return to victory after a four-month hiatus but, instead, he fell again, sending his plans up in smoke. Darnit, Alvaro ... Huertas, who thought well of imitating him a few hours earlier, also knows something about that.
THE SURPRISE - It could be the air of a new adventure awaiting him with Puccetti or the summer weather of the Portuguese coast, but the fact is that Portimao was the best weekend since the beginning of the season to date for Garrett Gerloff. Let's hope for him that it'll bode well for the second half of the season, too.
THE OVERTAKE - It was like being back in 2019 when, at San Donato, he spearheaded Marquez and Dovizioso in one fell swoop. This time, however, he did it with Toprak and Lowes. A round of applause for Petrucci's double overtake in Race 1.
THE ANECDOTE - The Superbike raced for the first time at sunset in Portugal. We don't think the experiment will be repeated next year.
THE I TOLD YOU SO - Toprak, on Friday: "I have no confidence. I can't ride the way I like." The Turk had us all fooled!
