The Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team have made their way to Portimão, Portugal, to wrap up the 2020 MotoGP season at this weekend‘s big finale, the Grande Prémio de Portugal.
Maverick Viñales fell in love with the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve during the Portimão test held on 7th October and has been looking forward to this round ever since. At that time he rode on a YZF-R1, but he expects to feel even better on his YZR-M1 this weekend, although presumably there will be some set-up changes required to make it suit the track‘s elevation changes.
Top Gun holds fourth place in the overall standings, 44 points from first, but he will treat this Grand Prix as an individual event where he just wants to get the best result possible.
Valentino Rossi found the Portimão track beautiful. Though technically challenging, it is a lot of fun to ride there, making the season finale all the more exciting for the fans at home. The track has more grip than the circuit in Valencia, which the Italian hopes will be an advantage for the team.
The Doctor is still in 15th place in the championship, despite it having been a very turbulent season for him. Rather than paying mind to the standings, he will be focusing on ending his final race with the Factory Yamaha Team on a high note before switching to PETRONAS Yamaha SRT for 2021.
The Autodromo Internacional do Algarve – better known as Portimão (after the port city from which it is half an hour‘s ride removed) – is situated in the Algarve region of Portugal. The circuit is already known by WorldSBK fans, who have been watching their heroes take on this tricky track practically every year since its opening in 2008. The circuit has 15 corners – nine right, six left – many elevation changes, and the front straight will allow the MotoGP riders to really stretch the legs of their machines, before a unique downhill descend into Turn 1.
