If for Autos the decisions to be taken are only at the international level, Bikes present a different story all together, and the event should be one of the most exciting in recent years. António Maio arrives in Portalegre leading the National Championship, but only with a mere three-point advantage over Mário Patrão. This is a very short margin which leaves everything open as far as the title goes on this last event of the season. Therefore, the ACP Motorsport event is expected to be a memorable one.
On the last nine editions the wins were split amongst both riders, with Mário Patrão on the top step of the rostrum for four times, and Maio wining the remaining five. Working out the numbers, Patrão has no other option but to beat his rival if he is to take the crown; should anything different happen, Maio will get the first overall title in his career.
“This is something I’ve been chasing for quite some time. I will face the event as an ‘all or nothing’ race, but Portalegre is always very special, even more so because I always have the support of many friends and family. But for sure I am starting with victory on my mind,” says Maio.
As for Mário Patrão, the tactics will be a bit more cautious, although the rider does not hide the fact that, should the weather and the track remain dry, he will also try to win the SSS1: “We are facing a dry race, so it will be important to start at the front. This is the longest event of the season, so we also need to ease up on the physical effort and on the bikes wear, but I am ready to fight until the end… we will see on Saturday!”
However, there are other interesting aspects to the Baja Portalegre 500. The TT1 class also has the crown for grabs. Domingos Santos has to win the class and hope for David Megre to do no better than fourth.
With the National titles already decided on Quads and UTVs, the event will be decisive for the International Quads; the Polish Kamil Wisniewski only needs to score three points to beat the Spaniard Daniel Aguilar.
Tomorrow’s Bikes SSS1 will start at 8h30 am.
If for Autos the decisions to be taken are only at the international level, Bikes present a different story all together, and the event should be one of the most exciting in recent years. António Maio arrives in Portalegre leading the National Championship, but only with a mere three-point advantage over Mário Patrão. This is a very short margin which leaves everything open as far as the title goes on this last event of the season. Therefore, the ACP Motorsport event is expected to be a memorable one.
On the last nine editions the wins were split amongst both riders, with Mário Patrão on the top step of the rostrum for four times, and Maio wining the remaining five. Working out the numbers, Patrão has no other option but to beat his rival if he is to take the crown; should anything different happen, Maio will get the first overall title in his career.
“This is something I’ve been chasing for quite some time. I will face the event as an ‘all or nothing’ race, but Portalegre is always very special, even more so because I always have the support of many friends and family. But for sure I am starting with victory on my mind,” says Maio.
As for Mário Patrão, the tactics will be a bit more cautious, although the rider does not hide the fact that, should the weather and the track remain dry, he will also try to win the SSS1: “We are facing a dry race, so it will be important to start at the front. This is the longest event of the season, so we also need to ease up on the physical effort and on the bikes wear, but I am ready to fight until the end… we will see on Saturday!”
However, there are other interesting aspects to the Baja Portalegre 500. The TT1 class also has the crown for grabs. Domingos Santos has to win the class and hope for David Megre to do no better than fourth.
With the National titles already decided on Quads and UTVs, the event will be decisive for the International Quads; the Polish Kamil Wisniewski only needs to score three points to beat the Spaniard Daniel Aguilar.
Tomorrow’s Bikes SSS1 will start at 8h30 am.