PARKALGAR HONDA Portuguese racer Miguel Praia is looking for the ‘race of his life’ to get a top five finish at this weekend’s second round of the World Supersport Championship at his and the team’s home circuit at Portimao in Portugal.

World Championship leader and first round winner Eugene Laverty will be looking to repeat his 2009 victory on home soil for Parkalgar Honda and give the Portuguese fans plenty to cheer. There are practice and qualifying sessions on Friday and Saturday before the race at 1330 GMT on Sunday, March 28th, at the state-of-the-art world track of the year near Portimao. For up-to-date information during the race weekend visit www.parkalgarhonda.com.

Miguel: “Racing at home at Parkalgar is a big responsibility as I am the only Portuguese rider in the World Championship; but this is my third time racing here and I am experienced with this. I am also more relaxed after showing in a normal race situation in Australia I can compete for and finish in the top 10, equalling my best result ever. I want to make a better race and fight for a similar performance as our test here when I finished fourth in January. I need to make baby steps as I have never finished in the top five before. It is a realistic target because I have a fantastic bike and team but I will need the race of my life to achieve it. I have finished on the podium in second and third in off-road bicycle races the last two weekends and it would be fantastic if I could get the same result on my Parkalgar Honda - one thing is for sure, I am fit enough and ready for the challenge. I look forward to meeting my fans this weekend, please come and support me and Eugene at Portimao!”

Eugene: “We know from last year’s race and the January test - as well as our performance at Phillip Island - that we are in good shape but will continue to work on set-up; you never get bored at Portimao, it is that sort of a circuit and there is always something to improve. I think Joan and Kenan will be strong and while they didn’t focus on race set-up in Australia, the tyre life problems there are fairly unique and in Portugal if you can do one fast lap you can probably do them for the whole race. It is great to get the support of the local fans in Portugal; they really get behind the whole team. I have been training hard in the nice spring weather and I am refreshed and ready for the race.”

Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “We are going home to Parkalgar as the favourites to win the race after victory in the opening round and in the last round at Portimao last year. But it certainly won’t be easy as Joan Lascorz is strong and last year Kenan Sofuoglu showed he could ride a quick race and kept the pressure on behind Eugene. Miguel comes here after equalling his best ever result but he didn’t ride his best ever race to do so. If he can ride to his potential then he can score a good result on home soil and we’ll be doing all we can to support him.”