Superbike: Aprilia wants to return to success in Portimao

The Superbike World Championship is preparing to face one of the circuits most loved by riders: Portimao is in fact a decidedly particular track, with impressive gradients and a smooth flow that favors the spectacle, always reserving excitement until the last lap.

It is also a track traditionally favorable to the Aprilia RSV4, which has always proven competitive on the Portuguese asphalt: a reason for optimism for the Aprilia Racing Red Devils riders.

Leon Haslam is banking on this feeling and significantly improving physical conditions, forced to fight against pain in his home race at Donington but motivated to return to the podium straight away.

“I want to get back on track in Portugal” – he said haslam – “My ribs still hurt, but it's definitely better than at Donington. We did a few laps on this track in pre-season testing and the feeling was very good. After fourth places in recent races I feel we can get back on the podium in Portimao. It's a challenging circuit, on which Aprilia has always done well in the past, and this gives me confidence ahead of the weekend."

The Spaniard Jordi Torres also had to fight at Donington: after a lackluster qualifying he was forced to make two comeback races, which were always complicated given the level of the riders on the track.
In view of the Portuguese round the Spaniard therefore has a clear work plan: to be faster and more incisive in qualifying, to make the most of the great work done on the race pace.

“After two comeback races at Donington Park, we arrive at Portimão with pretty clear ideas” – he commented Jordi Torres – “We need to be more incisive on Saturday to aim to be in the leading group on Sunday. Portimao is a difficult circuit, where we will test our potential. We tested here at the start of the season, albeit only for an afternoon, so we will start in better conditions than at Donington. We need to be stronger in the qualifying sessions and, above all, continue working on the development of the RSV4 RF. Portimao is certainly a track that suits our bike and I think we will be able to fight for the top positions."