Miguel Praia finished a superb eighth in today’s opening practice for the 14th and final round of the World Supersport Championship at his home Parkalgar circuit in Portugal, posting his intentions to secure a career best result in Sunday’s race.
Vodafone Parkalgar Honda title contender Eugene Laverty took third in the session as he continues to put pressure on Cal Crutchlow who leads him by 19-points in the Championship standings. Brilliant sunshine welcomed the riders to the Parkalgar circuit near Portimao in Portugal where the World Supersport and World Superbike Championships will be decided this Sunday, October 25th. Tickets are available on the gate and for more information, visit: http://www.autodromodoalgarve.com/.
Vodafone has joined the Parkalgar Honda team for the final round of the World Championship at the Parkalgar circuit in Portugal – for more details see www.vodafone.pt.
Miguel: “We are working on bike set-up and need more side-grip. When I am on maximum lean angle, the bike is sliding predictably but I need just a little more side grip for driving out. The shock is also pumping a bit. I am at about the pace I expected and my Parkalgar Honda team will work to solve these issues – ideally I want another second off my lap times and I am sure it is possible to get into the 1m45sec tomorrow. I am having a lot of fun here at my home track and hope that the Portuguese will come to support me on Sunday.”
Eugene: “I am getting my head back into gear after testing here last week. My Parkalgar Honda felt a little different from the test so we worked on chassis balance and it got a lot better towards the end of the session. I have tried both bikes and they feel similar which is good and we tried a new front tyre that was not available in the test – it is good but we need to test it for race distance and endurance now. We got through our whole test plan today which is a great start and I am happy.”
Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “We are right in the ball-park with Eugene and fighting with the riders we expected. There is room for improvement and we will be working on that for tomorrow. Miguel had a very strong session and we will do all we can to keep him on the second row in eighth or even higher. Being at the team’s home circuit is a big motivation for us and we are completely focussed on building our effort to win the race – I call on all the Portuguese race fans to get here on Sunday to support us, we still have a chance of brining the World Championship title to Portimao and the circuit and every cheer in the crowd will help lift us.”
Practice Times
1 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1′45.355
2 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1′45.652
3 Laverty E. (IRL) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′45.727
4 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1′45.863
5 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1′46.069
6 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 1′46.464
7 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1′46.473
8 Praia M. (POR) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′46.597
9 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1′46.686
10 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1′46.894.
