Estoril returns to WorldSBK schedule as season cut to eight rounds

The 2020 WorldSBK Championship will be contested over just eight rounds following confirmation the Italian and Argentina rounds have been axed, with a new finale to take place at Estoril in Portugal instead.

Misano was shuffled to the back end of the season in November during one of the many calendar reshuffles prompted by the coronavirus crisis.

However, this has been cancelled altogether now, along with the always precarious Argentina event at the San Juan Villicum circuit. It means there will be no Italian round on a WorldSBK schedule since the series’ inauguration, though Misano has subsequently been awarded a three-year contract extension in lieu.

In its place, however, comes a second event in Portugal with a first WordSBK event to be held at the Circuito Estoril since 1993.

A regular of the MotoGP schedule between 2000 and 2012, Estoril returns to the international motorcycle racing stage with a round to be held on 15-18 October. It comes following the announcement Portimao – where the most recent WorldSBK event was held – is going to get its first MotoGP round this year, also as its finale.

“I am glad that it was possible to add a second round in Portugal and to see WorldSBK returning to Circuito Estoril, which had already hosted this very competitive championship in its founding year back in 1988 and then in 1993,” said Jorge Viegas, FIM President.

“I would like to thank DWO, Circuito Estoril and the Portuguese Federation for making it possible to organise the final round of the 2020 MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship in Portugal.”

The reduction in rounds means WorldSBK is almost already half way through its condensed season, with three of eight now completed. Two back to back events are up next at Motorland Aragon, comprising a total of six races.