Event: Portugal - Estoril

Portuguese Moto GP

When:	Apr 2009 (annual)
Where:	Autodromo Do Estoril

The Road Racing World Championships continues with the Portuguese Moto GP from Estoril. With the enthusiastic local fans making plenty of noise, and the races being consistently exciting, this is a great event to visit.

This excellent track has given Portugal a motorsport venue to be proud of. It is a fast, twisting circuit that the riders seem to love.

The Moto GP is one of the fastest, most thrilling sports in the world. The bikes reach speeds of up to 310kph (185mph) and the races are extremely competitive. Unlike Formula One racing, overtaking is frequent. The riders take the bravest lines to weave through the field and when the bikes close on each other they push it to the limit. There is the feeling that the crowd is collectively holding its breath as the riders brake as late as possible into the corners. Then there is the engine noise, piercing the air as the riders fly by, a constant reminder of the sheer power that they are fighting to control.

The 500cc Championship is the big one in motorcycling. Although it vies with the increasingly popular Superbike Championship for profile, it remains the title that every aspiring rider dreams of winning. With the diversity of tracks and conditions around the world, it provides the ultimate test of overall ability.