Rollercoaster of a weekend in Portugal for Luke

Luke Power rode the rollercoaster at Portimão this past weekend, quite literally, in the latest round of the FIM Supersport World Championship.

The weekend did not get off to the best of starts in Friday’s opening free practice, but the #68 found his rhythm in Superpole, producing a lap time more than 1.5s faster than he had earlier in the day.

Temperatures were high as the grid for race one lined up, and with a track over forty-five degrees the stage was set for the hottest race of the year to date.

An aggressive opening lap saw Luke gain half a dozen positions. Despite the hotter conditions his pace was quicker than qualifying which meant he was soon inside the top twenty and closing in on the battle for the world championship points. Pushing until the end he crossed the line eighteenth overall and second in the WorldSSP Challenge.

Sunday’s race did not go to plan. Despite another strong first lap Luke finished twenty second overall and fourth in the ‘challenge.’

There were plenty of positives to take away from the weekend and Luke leaves Portugal upbeat about further progress towards the front when the series continues in France at the beginning of September.

Luke Power:

“Overall it was an up and down weekend. It started slower than expected on Friday which is something I know I need to work on in future races. Unfortunately, despite making a step with my riding in Superpole I made a mistake on my fastest lap which cost me several positions on the grid. In the first race it was difficult coming from so far back, but I was happy with my aggressive opening laps and the fact I was able to make up so many places. My pace in the last part of the race was as fast as those close to the top ten which is a real positive. We made a small change for Sunday which I didn’t gel with and unfortunately it was one of those races to just put behind me. Nevertheless, I am looking forward to Magny-Cours, a circuit I like and confident of achieving a good result there!”