There was thrilling FIM Supersport World Championship action right across the Motul Portuguese Round as Isaac Viñales (Kallio Racing) secured his first podium of the 2020 season, and the fourth of his WorldSSP career, as World Supersport action hit the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve.

While both races were won by Andrea Locatelli (BARDAHL Evan Bros. WorldSSP Team), Spanish rider Isaac Viñales was able to claim third place in Race 2 in a race that included a brief battle between Locatelli and Viñales. The 26-year-old Spanish rider got ahead of Locatelli on the opening lap, but Locatelli was soon ahead, passing Viñales on the run down to the right-hander of Turn 1 at the start of the second laps.

Viñales was able to keep pace with Jules Cluzel (GMT94 Yamaha), who finished second, finishing around 2.5seconds behind the Frenchman but a clear four seconds ahead of fourth-placed Steven Odendaal (EAB Ten Kate Racing) as the Spanish rider secured a good race result after qualifying in fourth place in Tissot Superpole.

Discussing the weekend, Viñales said: “The race was really hard. On Saturday I had a good rhythm, but we need a little bit more power. Sunday was better, I got a good start, I pushed hard in the first part of the race and after I stayed there, behind Cluzel. We need a bit more power because Locatelli’s bike is like another step, or two steps more. Like this, he’ll win all the races.”

Viñales will be hoping the gap between Portimao and the next Round at MotorLand Aragon will give him and the team time to find improvements to get what he needs from the bike. It was a strong showing for Viñales in Portugal, and he will be looking to continue this as WorldSSP moves back to Spain in a few weeks.

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