The newly-upgraded Circuito de Navarra was widely praised by the leading starts of the RFME Spanish Superbike Championship (ESBK) during the series’ annual visit to the venue in northern Spain last weekend (24-27 October). The ESBK event was the first competitive race meeting for motorcycles following the completion of a multi-million Euro redevelopment and the creation of a new circuit layout earlier this summer.
South Africa’s Steven Odendaal, formerly a frontrunner in the Supersport World Championship and a victor of the prestigious Bol d'Or, won the first Superbike race on the extended layout. And he was struck by the improvements to the challenge and character of the circuit.
“To be honest, I really enjoyed this new circuit,” commented Odendaal. “The layout is a lot more flowing, it’s a lot of fun. Before it felt like a little bit too much of a go-kart track but now it feels like a real circuit. It’s really good. And obviously it was good for my bike and my team. Yeah, I really like the track!”
Reigning ESBK Champion Ivo Lopes was another to enjoy success on the revitalised circuit layout, passing Odendaal to win the second race of the weekend. And like his rival, the Portuguese competitor was keen to applaud the changes made to the configuration.
“The truth is that this is the first time I've been to Navarra with the new layout, I've really enjoyed it,” Lopes added. “It's really fun for us because in the end we're able to ride it, it's quite different to what we're used to, and we love the new part of the track. We want everyone to come and try it, because in the end it's true that the track is different from what is normal. I'm very happy and very grateful for the new things that Navarra has given us.”
Another key contender during the two ESBK races at Circuito de Navarra was Unai Orradre, who now heads into the final round of this year’s campaign as the standings leader. Orradre was enormously enthusiastic about the improvements made to the track.
“This year, as you know, the Navarra Circuit has undergone some big changes,” Orradre commented. “And the truth is that they have been very positive changes, I liked them a lot. It is a very different circuit to what we are used to, with blind uphill and downhill turns, fast and slow turns, and the truth is that it brings a very positive aspect to the championship.
“The new back part where before there were slow turns, they now have a fast turn followed by a quite long straight that allows you to give full throttle, and then braking with a tight turn and the new downhill chicane. The truth is that we are not used to such fun layouts, and it is great for both the rider and the spectator.”