SBK, Prosecco DOC Portuguese Round: Honda faces the Portuguese stage

The Red Bull Honda World Superbike Team arrives on the Portimao track with a new line up of riders: alongside Stefan Bradl this weekend there will be the Japanese rider Takumi Takahashi, who races with Honda in his national championship, and was three-time winner of the Suzuka 8 Hours.

We already know that this will be the first and last round for Takahashi, who will have to return to focus on his championship where he is in contention for the title: there are rumors that from France we will see Davide Giugliano back in the Honda pits, after his appearance in the last German round.

“I am honored that my achievements and experience have been recognized,” he said Takahashi – “I have been given the opportunity to race in the Superbike world championship and I will use all the experience I have gained in the Japanese championship with the CBR1000RR Fireblade SP2, to make a good contribution to the team. I will do my best in front of the World Superbike fans, I hope they will have fun.”

Takahashi will be the first Japanese rider to race since 2013 after Noriuki Haga, and his experience with the CBR Honda Fireblade could be of great help to the team and Bradl, who are facing a season that is anything but happy from a sporting point of view , with the bike struggling a lot, how human with the tragic death of Nicky Hayden.

“I can't wait to get on track in Portimão, a track I know quite well after having carried out the tests” – he said Stefan bradl – “I hope we can improve on the disappointing results at the Lausitzring and make some steps forward with the bike. I welcome Takumi Takahashi and it will be interesting to share the garage with him and get his feedback on the Fireblade”.