Alvaro Bautista – R03 Estoril (POR) – RACE 01 Year: 2022, Ducati Corse Media
World Superbikes announced on Friday that the series debut at Balaton Park in Hungary will no longer take place, with the Portuguese circuit of Estoril stepping in.
Originally scheduled to host World Superbikes from August 23 to 25, Balaton Park will not be ready in time for the international motorcycle event, leading to its last-minute cancellation.
In its place, the Estoril Circuit is a well-known track for both the series and motorcycle enthusiasts worldwide.
Estoril has previously hosted motorcycle races from both the Grand Prix and Superbike, with the World Championship taking place at the Portuguese circuit in 1988 and 1993. It returned during the COVID-19 pandemic for a three-year period from 2020 to 2022.
The most recent World Superbikes action in Estoril took place during the final round of the 2022 season. The races saw intense competition between Jonathan Rea, Alvaro Bautista, and Toprak Razgatlioglu, with Bautista emerging victorious in Race 1 and Rea winning the Superpole Race and Race 2.
This change in the World Superbikes calendar means that two Portuguese circuits will be included in the 2024 championship calendar. The popular Portimão round is set to take place from August 9 to 11.
Estoril will now host World Superbikes from October 11 to 13, creating a back-to-back spectacle with the Jerez Circuit, which will serve as the season finale a week later.
Estoril will also be the venue for the World Supersport and the Women’s Circuit Racing World Championship, along with the Yamaha R3 bLU cRU European SuperFinale.
Meanwhile, the series will continue with the fourth round in Misano this weekend before heading to Donington Park Circuit in the UK from July 12 to 14.
After Donington, the series will head to Autodrom Most in the Czech Republic from July 19 to 21, followed by the mentioned round at Portimão in August.
There will then be a one-month break before three rounds in September: Magny Cours, France (September 6-8), Cremona Circuit, Italy (September 20-22), and Aragon, Spain (September 27-29).
© 2024
