#PRTWorldSBK: «Portimao is just awesome unique»

The technically demanding racetrack located in the hilly outbacks of Portugal's Algarve coastline is the next stop of the Superbike World Championship this weekend.

After the difficult restart to the season a week ago at Jerez, Sandro Cortese and his Italian Pedercini Racing Team are looking to make a significant step forward at Portimao. However, the 4.5-kilometre track is considered as one of the most selective circuits in the world. One lap is peppered with many uphill and downhill sections, as well as with numerous blind corners. Nevertheless, the 30-year-old from Berkheim is looking forward to this task with confidence.

#11 Sandro CORTESE (OUTDO Kawasaki Racing, Kawasaki ZX-10RR):

"I am incredibly happy that the next race weekend is about to start. We have had to wait long enough for the restart of the season. Jerez was also a difficult weekend for us. Our expectations were higher, that is for sure. So, it can only be good for us to be able to continue right away and therefore I am really looking forward to the challenge ahead. Portimao is simply awesome, a lap is a breath-taking experience from the first to the last metre. Even a sighting lap walking around leaves an incomparable impression. What is more, the conditions this time are much better than last weekend in Jerez. Thank God it is not as extremely hot as in Andalucía, the temperatures are much more pleasant. From a sporting point of view, we want to pick up where we left off last Sunday because with every session we gathered a lot of valuable and important information and I think that we have now evaluated all the data well in order to work in the right direction now. I am therefore confident that we will improve this weekend."

Profil Sandro Cortese:

Alter: 30 (geboren am 6. Januar 1990)

Wohnort: Berkheim (GER)

Startnummer: 11

Motorrad: Kawasaki ZX-10RR

Zweimal Weltmeister: 2012 Moto3™ und 2018 WorldSSP

2019: WorldSBK Gesamtzwölfter (134 Punkte)

Facts Portimao:

Länge: 4.592 Meter

Linkskurven: 6

Rechtskurven: 9

Beste WorldSBK Pole-Position: 1´40.372 (2019)

WorldSBK Rundenrekord: 1´41.272 (2019 - Superpole-Race)

WorldSBK All Time Record: 1´40.372 (2019)

Sandro Corteses Resultate 2019: Startplatz 3 / Rennen 1: P8 / Superpole-Race: P8 / Rennen 2: P10

#PORWorldSBK Time Schedule (CET):

Freitag, 7. August: 11:30 - 12:20 FP1

Freitag, 7. August: 16:00 - 16:50 FP2

Samstag, 8. August: 10:00 - 10:20 FP3

Samstag, 8. August: 12:00 - 12:25 Superpole

Samstag, 8. August: 15:00 Rennen 1 (20 Runden - 91,840 km)

Samstag, 9. August: 10:00 - 10:15 Warm Up

Sonntag, 9. August: 12:00 - Superpole-Race (10 Runden - 45,920 km)

Sonntag, 9. August: 15:00 - Rennen 2 (20 Runden - 91,840 km)

#WorldSBK Championship Standing:

1 Scott REDDING / GBR / Ducati / 98

2 Jonathn REA / GBR / Kawasaki / 74

3 Alex LOWES / GBR / Kawasaki / 72

4 Toprak RAZGATLIOGLU / TUR / Yamaha / 66

5 Chaz DAVIES / GBR / Ducati / 57

6 Michael van der MARK / NED / Yamaha / 47

7 Loris BAZ / FRA / Yamaha / 37

8 Alvaro BAUTISTA / SPA / Honda / 37

9 Michael Ruben RINALDI / ITA / Ducati / 30

10 Leon HASLAM / GBR / Honda / 28

11 Tom SYKES / GBR / BMW / 26

12 Marco MELANDRI / ITA / Ducati / 15

13 Garret GERLOFF / USA / Yamaha / 15

14 #11 Sandro CORTESE / Kawasaki / 14

15 Xavi FORES / SPA / Kawasaki / 11

2020 WorldSBK Calender (Stand Juli):

1. März - Australien, Phillip Island

2. Juli - Spanien, Jerez de la Frontera

9. August - Portugal, Portimao

30. August - Aragon, Alcaniz

6. September - Teruel, Alcaniz

20. September - Katalonien, Barcelona

4. Oktober - Frankreich, Magny-Cours

Noch nicht bestätigt: 11. Oktober - Argentinien / 8. November - Misano