Friday, 15 July, Penafiel (Portugal): The European Championship riders will line up in Penafiel on Portugal’s picturesque town situated on the banks of the Douro River in the northern Portuguese district of Porto this weekend for the Grand Prix of Portugal [15-17 July], round 3 of the UIM-ABP Aquabike European Continental Championship.

 

After passing through Italy and Poland the Aquabike riders didn’t want to miss the traditional appointment in Penafiel and they arrived in the last days in Cais de Entre-os-Rios- Penafiel.

 

“I am really impressed that, despite the difficulties of this terrible schorching heat that we are suffering here in Portugal and in all Europe that could have affected the partecipation of the riders, a good numbers of competitors decided anyway to take part to the Grand Prix” – said Paulo Ferreira, President of the Powerboat Portuguese Federation – this means a lot for me and for powerboat sport in this country”.

 

A consistent number of home riders will line up in Portugal starting from the freestyler Paulo Nunes and Joana Gracia in Ski Ladies division with Matteo Valente and Diogo Barbosa fighting for a place in the podium in Ski Division GP2 and Gp3 respectively,

 

Also to limit the permanence of riders and officials in the torrid heat there will be 2 mixed races with riders of different categories competing together but with a separate final classification: the riders of Ski Division GP1 will run with the girls of the ladies Division, while Runabout GP4 will compete together with Runabout GP ladies. 

 

Riders registration and technical scrutineering took place yesterday.

 

This morning starting at 10.30 free pratice/qualifying position with joined sessions: 10’ free practice + 10 qualifying/pole session. Qualifying session will also determine the line-up for Moto 1.

 

Motos 1 ( for Ski GP3, Runabout GP4 and Runabout GP4 ladies) will be this afternoon from 17.30-19.30 ( local time).

 

Moto 1 for the other categories  and Moto 2 will take place on Saturday and on Sunday morning with the final Moto for all classes on Sunday afternoon. 

 

 

RACING CATEGORIES:

Ski Division GP1, GP2, GP3

Ski Ladies GP1

Ski Juniors GP3.3

Runabout GP1, GP2, GP4

Runabout GP4 Ladies

Runabout GP4 Junior

Freestyle