Reigning Endurance World Champions Suzuki Endurance Racing Team is gearing-up for Saturday’s Portimão second round in Portugal, with the aim of putting the GSX-R1000 on the top-step of the podium.

SERT riders Vincent Philippe, Anthony Delhalle and Etienne Masson currently lie fifth in the rankings, 19 points adrift of the series lead, with three rounds remaining following their heroic comeback through the field to fifth position after crashing at the opening round at Le Mans in April.

The Algarve International Circuit in the south of Portugal is a new fixture on the 2016 EWC calendar. It sits in the scenic hillside, 20kms above the coastal resort of Portimao, which is towards the western-edge of Portugal’s Algarve. Hosting consecutive World Superbike races since the circuit’s unveiling in 2008, the ‘rollercoaster’ layout is famed for its undulating nature and 15 multi-directional turns, providing a challenging and exhilarating ride for the 30 Endurance (EWC) and Superstock (SST) teams entered this weekend.