Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher had a busy couple of days in Portugal on Sunday and Monday as special guest of the Superbike Championship at the Portimao circuit. The German, who has been devoting considerable time to his bike racing hobby since retiring from Formula 1, arrived at the circuit in the early afternoon and was accompanied onto the starting-grid for the second Superbike race, where he met the riders and exchanged greetings with Troy Bayliss, Carlos Checa and Max Biaggi, amongst others. Then on Monday, during the FGSport-organised tests for international media, Michael Schumacher was able to try his hands out on the latest generation of Superbike machinery. He spent all morning testing the Yamaha Motor Italia WSB’s R1 machines raced by Noriyuki Haga and Troy Corser and in the afternoon he was given an opportunity to ride the championship-winning Ducati 1098 F08 of Troy Bayliss. The Ferrari champion truly enjoyed the experience and praised the new International Circuit of Algarve as being both technically demanding and safe. Schumacher was also delighted with the reception he received from the two top SBK teams, who were able to give him tips and suggestions and an insight into top-level Superbike racing.