Estoril to host 2020 WSBK finale

The Motul FIM Superbike World Championship will finish its shortened 2020 season in Estoril, following the release of a new calendar on 18 August.

Before the announcement by the FIM and Dorna WSBK Organisation (DWO) confirming the final round, Misano in San Marino had been listed as the provisional season finale. Although it’s now cancelled for 2020, the Misano World Circuit has secured a contract to host WSBK for the next three years.

The Misano round’s cancellation is the latest – and hopefully last – on the 2020 calendar that has seen a reduction from the series’ original thirteen rounds to just eight due to the coronavirus outbreak (eight rounds are generally regarded as the minimum for any series to be regarded a championship).

Rounds in Qatar, Germany, the Netherlands, Great Britain, Italy and Argentina have also been cancelled as Spain and Portugal become “hubs” for international motorcycle competition.

Gregorio Lavilla, WorldSBK Executive Director of the Sporting and Organisation Departments: “The addition of a second round in Portugal is very important for the growth of WorldSBK in the Iberian Peninsula and specifically Portugal. It will add a challenge to a lot of the paddock as most haven’t visited this track, bringing an extra dynamic to the Championship as the season readies for a spectacular round at this returning venue. I would like to thank the FIM and the circuit for their cooperation and desire to be part of the 2020 calendar.”

Jaime Andrez, Chairman of the Estoril Circuit: "It gives me great pleasure to welcome to Estoril the Motul FIM Superbike World Championship. We are confident that the teams will have a fantastic experience at the Estoril track, especially if we have three days of mild and pleasant weather, combined with the Circuit’s culture of warm welcome and professionalism.  I would like to congratulate the organisers and wish all competitors the best of luck for these three days and hope this event will contribute to highly promote this sport in 2020 and in the following years.”

Located near the Portuguese capital city of Lisbon, Estoril hosted MotoGP between 2000 and 2012, but has held a WSBK round on only two previous occasions: 1988, the championship’s foundation year; and 1993. Its inclusion in this year’s calendar marks the first time in WSBK history that two rounds will be held in Portugal.

With Estoril locked in and the presumption of no more rounds being culled in response to COVID-19, the 2020 WSBK calendar now looks like this:

2020 World Superbike Championship calendar (18 August, 2020)*

Round  Date                 Country                         Circuit
Rd01    28 Feb-01 Mar   Australia                       Phillip Island

Rd02    31 Jul-02 Aug   Spain                            Jerez

Rd03    07-09 Aug         Portugal                        Portimao

Rd04    28-30 Aug         Spain                            Aragon

Rd05    04-06 Sep         Spain                            Aragon

Rd06    18-20 Sep         Spain                            Catalunya

Rd07    02-04 Oct         France                          Magny-Cours               

Rd08    16-18 Oct         Portugal                        Estoril

* subject to ongoing COVID-19 conditions