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The Pirelli Portuguese Round gave plenty of drama at the Autodromo Internacional do Algarve with some overtakes at some strange places as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship field took to the majestic Portuguese venue. Here, we have a look at some of the unexpected passing places or the best moves that took place across the weekend.

A PASS FOR THE PODIUM: Lowes on van der Mark in the Superpole Race

It would be the decisive pass as Alex Lowes (Kawasaki Racing Team WorldSBK) once again demonstrated his strength in the short 10-lap dash by making a bold move on Michael van der Mark at Turn 8 on the final lap of the shoot-out on Sunday morning. Lowes forced his ZX-10RR up the inside of the Dutchman’s BMW, denying the #60 a first podium in two years.

PRIDE BEFORE A FALL: Bautista invents a Turn 4 masterpiece

In an epic Race 2 battle with Toprak Razgatlioglu (ROKiT BMW Motorrad WorldSBK Team) – and yes, we’ve said that at Portimao before – Alvaro Bautista took advantage of the Turkish star losing a wing earlier in the race. Going through on the inside at Turn 3 in the closing stages of the race, Bautista ran a bit wide but had the inside for Turn 4, giving him the race lead – an inspired move perhaps from Maria Herrera in WorldWCR, who did the same. Unfortunately for Bautista, Toprak was able to re-pass him at Turn 5 and although the #54 went wide, Bautista fell in an attempt to get up the inside, ending his race for victory.

FAST STARTING VIERGE: another mighty opening lap by the #97

Whilst there’s been a lot less to celebrate for Honda than they’d have liked, Xavi Vierge (Team HRC) is gaining a reputation for being extremely fast out of the traps. The Spanish rider elevated himself into the top five briefly in Race 2 from the third row of the grid, storming into contention. Eventually dropping back to finish in P7, Vierge was also strong when the lights went out earlier in the day in the Superpole Race, going from 13th to P7, which ultimately gave him that all-important third row starting position. Keep an eye on the #97 in the forthcoming rounds.

REA VS VIERGE: Turning it tight at Turn 11

Vierge once again featured in Race 2 but this time as he was shuffled back. Jonathan Rea (Pata Prometeon Yamaha) got a great run through the Craig Jones Corner at Turn 9 and up over the crest of the hill at Turn 10, lunged for the inside at Turn 11 to get the move done. This was Rea’s retaliation for Vierge’s pass at Turn 1 at the start of the lap. Rea would finish up in P6 whilst Vierge was in the top ten for the second time on Sunday with ninth.

BAUTISTA’S COMEBACK IN RACE 1: P13 to P2 from the reigning double World Champion

Despite a best Superpole of the year, Alvaro Bautista’s sixth place on the grid saw him go backwards to way outside the top ten on the opening lap. Having to come through from 13th on the opening lap, P2 seemed a big – and perhaps unrealistic – target for the #1 but he achieved it with another mighty comeback.

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