The PETRONAS MIE Racing Honda Team is ready for the challenge that the AIA circuit in Portugal presents. Rider Kaito Toba enjoys racing at the undulating Portimão track and scored points at last year’s Portuguese WorldSSP round. The Japanese rider will be looking to improve on those results and build on the positive start he has made to the 2025 season, a points scorer and top ten finisher in the Australian season-opener one month ago.

Team-mate Syarifuddin Azman faces a different set of challenges, although the Malaysian does have previous knowledge of the tricky Portuguese circuit, which should be of benefit. The young rookie has just one WorldSSP round under his belt and is still learning the ropes of this high-level and hard-fought championship. Both he and Toba are fighting fit and ready for Friday’s practice and qualifying, and the two 17-lap races that will play out on Saturday and Sunday. 

Located in the Algarve, in southern Portugal, the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve has regularly staged WorldSSP races ever since its inauguration in 2008. The track measures 4.592 kilometres in length and incorporates fifteen turns, for an undulating rollercoaster of a layout that presents riders with a unique challenge.

Kaito Toba #27

“I can’t wait to get to Portugal - Australia feels like a long time ago! We had our ups and downs in Phillip Island, but we’re looking to build on the positives that we took away from that opening round. We are working hard to be competitive and close the gap to the bikes that run with higher CC, and I believe the team is doing a great job with that. I spent a couple of weeks in Murcia to train and work to keep the momentum we took home from the first round. Portimão is a rather tricky circuit, but we’ll do our best to fight in the pack.”

Syarifuddin Azman #63

“I’m excited to start this next race weekend. I’ve been working hard on my training since Australia in order to be well prepared as we head to Portugal. I know the track pretty well and have been on the podium there in the past, so I feel ready for this challenge and will bring everything that I have.”

Track Information:

Country: Portugal
Name: Autódromo Internacional do Algarve
Length: 4.592 km
Pole position: right

2024 SSP RESULTS:

Race 1 - 1. Montella (Ducati); 2. Huertas (Ducati); 3. Manzi (Yamaha).

Race 2 - 1. Montella (Ducati); 2. Manzi (Yamaha); 3. Debise (Yamaha).

SSP RECORDS: Best lap – Montella (Ducati) 1'43.246 (2024). Superpole – Bulega (Ducati) 1’42.769 (2023).

Weekend schedule (CET -1):

Friday
9.40 – 10.20 – SSP Free Practice 1
13.55 – 14.35 – SSP Superpole

Saturday
9.30 – 9.40 – SSP Warm-up
12.35 – SSP Race 1

Sunday
9.20 – 9.30 – SSP Warm-up
12.35 – SSP Race 2