The circuit of Portimao will explode into life to the sound of screaming engines for the first time on November 2nd 2008 as the World Superbike Championship arrives to complete the last round of the current campaign. The Autódromo internacional Algarve circuit is based in Portimao, Algarve, on Portugal's southern coast and should provide a fitting end to a fabulous season of Superbike racing.

It has been an interesting season, with the emergence of some fresh new talents, while the old guard have been battling hard to give the upstarts a run for their money.

Taking the honors in 2008 was Xerox Ducati rider Troy Bayliss on his first season riding the 1098 superbike. Troy became the first rider to win three World Superbike titles aboard three different specification machines, taking his first title in 2001 on board the Ducati 996, his second in 2006 riding the Ducati 999 and then completing the stunning achievement in 2008.

Troy has been a spectacular rider and great ambassador for the sport over the years and announced his retirement shortly after commencing his 2008 campaign, he will be greatly missed by the paddock and fans alike, but at 39 years old, Troy wants to try a range of new exploits and so has passed the torch on to the new younger generation.

One of those riders who has risen to the challenge this year is Max Neukirckner, the young German managed to take his first World Superbike victory in his first season with a factory team. Another rider who made an impact in 2008, although by no means a youngster was Carlos Checa, the courageous Spaniard, a veteran of MotoGP, took two victories in Salt Lake City to stand on the top step of a podium for the first time in ten years.

After a difficult start to his campaign where he lost points through crashes and accidents, Noriyuki Haga, has bounced back to take eight victories and moved into second place in the championship. Nori moves to the Xerox Ducati squad in 2009 taking the place of Troy Bayliss, and he will be hoping that Ducati can bring him the World Superbike title he has been longing after.

Troy Corser is another rider who has had a difficult campaign, a few costly crashes and tire issues over the early races left Troy with a large deficit to recover. Troy will be looking to end the season on the podium at Portimao before he makes the switch to ride BMW’s factory superbike in the championship next season.

The 2009 campaign looks likely to be bigger and better than ever as a hoard of Alpinestars riders descend on the Championship with the hope of lifting the crown, inclucing, 3 times AMA superbike Champion, Ben Spies, 2 times BSB Champion, Shane “Shakey” Byrne, World Supersport Runner up, Johnny Rea and his former British Superbike compatriot Tommy Hill. It certainly looks like 2009 will be a fruitful year for all concerned.

On a more sombre note, there will be a tribute unveiled to the fallen World Supersport rider Craig Jones at the Parkalgar Racing Team's home track, Portimao. Craig passed away after an accident in the World Supersport race at Brand Hatch earlier in the season. He will be greatly missed.

The first race gets underway on Sunday at 12pm (CET)