Aleix: Portimao 'very fun, super difficult' to learn

The spectacular Portimao circuit, which will make its MotoGP debut as the revised 2020 season finale in November, is one of the hardest circuits to learn.

That's according to Aprilia's Aleix Espargaro, who has ridden at the Portuguese track – famous for its blind dips and crests – on a street bike.

"I rode with my standard Aprilia street bike. But I spent the first two hours trying to discover the track. It never happened in my life," Espargaro said.

"Normally - I remember when I raced in Argentina for the first time - after two laps I knew perfectly the track. I knew all the references for the braking. Also other new tracks were not difficult to understand.

"But Portimao was super difficult to understand where to brake, accelerate and that was on a street bike.

"I remember Rins and Arenas, they already rode two days before. I was 2sec slower than them. I couldn’t follow them all day. Then on my second day I started being faster.

"It's a very, very fun track. I will not say dangerous but on the limit for MotoGP. The uphills and downhills are very aggressive. It was very bumpy but we talked a lot with the boss of the track and he told us he would resurface if we race there. So it’s going to be better.

"I have to say the facilities are one of the best I’ve ever been to in my career. It’s unbelievable, fantastic.

"We are planning to go there and live for one month this winter because you have everything: motocross, enduro, Supermoto, karting, a MotoGP circuit! For me Portimao's a very good place."

The November 20-22 Portimao event will be the first time MotoGP has raced in Portugal since Estoril, in 2012.

However, Portimao has hosted a WorldSBK round since 2008.