Here are our votes on the drivers who were protagonists in Portimao
October 10, 2022
Quello of portimao it is one of the favorite events of WorldSBK riders and insiders for its climate, for the beauty of the Algarve region, but above all for its circuit, so technical and spectacular.
A particular track that puts tires to the test and where the rider can still make a difference. Its long straight obviously favors the more powerful enginesbut the curves and the numerous ups and downs make it difficult to define the best set-up of the various bikes, so much so that many say that on this track it is even impossible to find a perfect set-up, but instead we must accept a compromise that does not limit too much the performance of the bike and the riding style of the rider.
With these premises it was reasonable to expect that the three-way fightwhich has so far characterized this season, would have lived its peak. Bautista arrived at this appointment with a strong treble conquered in Barcelona, but both Rea and Razgatlioglu in the past had not only won in Portimao, but had shown that they were particularly comfortable on the Portuguese toboggan.
In the end though only the Spaniard and the Turk stepped on the top step of the podium, while Rea has had to settle for three third places that take him a long way and perhaps definitively from the top of the standings. In other words, the only verdict that seems to have emerged from this ninth round is that what used to be a three-way match is turning into a duel between Bautista and Toprak. But in motorcycling “never say never” and therefore we are waiting to give up the Cannibal.
However, it was once again a struggle between Ducati. Yamaha and Kawasaki, while both Honda and BMW have once again disappointed. The German manufacturer’s bike seems to have returned to the mid-season one and when its riders rebel against anonymity they end up on the ground. If the M1000RR seems to regress, the Fireblade never emerged and both Lecuona and Vierge are now subscribers to the mid-table positions.
But here are our opinions on the riders who were protagonists in Portimao
Alvaro Bautista: 9
EIt is clear to all that Alvaro has the best bike of the lot at his disposal, but it is equally clear that it is undoubtedly the only one to exploit it to the maximum and derive the greatest benefits from it. Once again the Spaniard is not wrong, he reads all the races very well, sinks the shot at the right time and also understands when it’s time to settle. With these prerogatives and with a ranking that smiles at him, he is the candidate for the final victory. But there are still nine races to go.
Toprak Razgatlioglu: 9.5
E’ the only one able to put in difficulty and also to beat (in short competitions) the Babau. Even in his case he is the only one able to take the R1 to the limit, which lacks power compared to the Panigale, but what the Japanese bike lacks is he puts it with his enormous talent.
Jonathan Rea: 8,5
E’ a lion in a cage. He is working harder now than when he was winning the World Cup hands down. His Ninja can compete with Yamaha and Ducati only in the first laps, when the tires are still intact. He doesn’t give up anythingbut the points he loses in each race are cutting him out of the title fight.
Michael Ruben Rinaldi: 7
Ihis was a weekend in crescendo, from ninth position in Superpole to fourth in Race 2, but he drives an official V4 and it is therefore normal that his comparison is teammate Bautista. Compared to the Spaniard, however, Michael has much less experience and ability to interpret races. The ranking rewards his commitment with fourth placewaiting for him to take full advantage of his bike.
Axel Bassani: 7
Si get closer and closer to the top three and now seems able to constantly aim for the first four / five positions. After winning an excellent fourth place in Race 1, he makes a mistake and falls in Race 2, but his balance is still positive.
Alex Lowes: 8
NNobody seems to notice him, but after the third place in Superpole the Englishman wins two fifths and a fourth place in the race. If the Ninja isn’t competitive enough for Rea, let alone him. He seems to have finally acquired that constancy of performance that had limited him in the past years.
Andrea Locatelli: 6.5
I his results are certainly not to be thrown away, but those who consider him one of the Italian promises in Superbike expect that sooner or later he will prove to be able to stay with the top of the class. Last year it came very close, while this season it seems to have taken a step back. But let’s trust him.
Scott Redding: 5,5
I Donington’s and Most’s results had both he and BMW are deluded, but in the last six races the Englishman has only won 11 points. It is not that his brand mates do better than him, but from a rider of his caliber it is reasonable to expect more.
Roberto Tamburini: 7
Nin the year of his Superbike debut Roberto collects 36 points, and proves he can hold a candle to many riders that have been running for years in this category. For a driver who was in the National Trophy last year, it is a great satisfaction
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