MotoGP is set to make its debut at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in Portimao in November, as the last race of the 2020 season, and as a brand new track on the calendar, the teams, factories, and riders have no data on the circuit.
To help them prepare for the race, Dorna has organized a test at the circuit ahead of the race.
The timing of the test is a little unfortunate. The test is due to take place on October 7th and 8th, directly before the French Grand Prix at Le Mans.
Though only a limited number of riders are due to take to the track – one from each team and factory, with the exception of KTM and Aprilia, the factories who have concessions for the 2020 season – those riders face a punishing schedule.
Two days of testing at Portimao on Wednesday and Thursday, a flight to Le Mans on Thursday night, then practice for the French Grand Prix on Friday morning.
That is then the first weekend of three, with a double-header at Aragon following on from Le Mans.
Test riders will also be present, including Jorge Lorenzo, making his return at last for Yamaha. Team boss Maio Meregalli told MotoGP.com pitlane reporter Simon Crafar that Lorenzo would be returning at the Portimao test, logistics issues having prevented him from testing earlier.
Throughout the pandemic period, Yamaha was unable to fly their Japanese engineers to Europe to work at the test, and so switched their testing strategy to test at Japanese tracks with their Japanese test riders.
Source: MotoGP
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