PARKALGAR HONDA’S Eugene Laverty was the only rider to dip below 1min 46secs to take provisional pole position and Miguel Praia was an impressive sixth during the opening day of the second round of the World Supersport Championship at Parkalgar near Portimao in Portugal.
Parkalgar is the 2009 Circuit of the Year with some of the best facilities in the world. It is also the title sponsor to the Parkalgar Honda race team and the riders are counting on home support from the fans on race day, Sunday 28th March, starting at 1330 local time.
Eugene: “It is nice to go quickest today; it is not often I am fastest in practice or qualifying. I need to keep improving as the rest of the riders will be faster tomorrow. We still have some small changes we need to make to improve my set-up and that will allow us to cut the lap time. The front end of my Parkalgar Honda is feeling very good and is giving excellent feedback and predictability that gives us a strong platform to progress with.”
Miguel: “I am happy with sixth and the performance behind that position as well. I am consistent with my lap times while riders around me are not. I am disappointed to crash on the last lap when my ideal time shows I was fifth fastest. I lost the front going into the VIP Tower hairpin but I am unhurt and very positive looking forward. It is brilliant to be racing here in front of my home crowd and already the support is helping me; I want to keep improving all weekend and give the fans that come to Parkalgar something to cheer about.”
Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Team Manager: “Well done to the team for a great effort this afternoon at our home track. Eugene did a lot of work on his bike and was consistently fast –well done to Phil and his crew for their efforts. Miguel is riding well and impressed despite a late crash. Mark and his crew have delivered him a fantastic bike capable of running top six. We have a good start to the weekend; it is a pleasure racing here in front of our home crowd and a big motivation for everyone in the squad.”
Qualifying Practice
1: Laverty (PARKALGAR HONDA) 1:45.797
2: Pirro +0.230
3: Sofuoglu +0.319
4: Davies +0.484
5: Lascorz +0.687
6: Praia (PARKALGAR HONDA) +0.928
7: Foret +0.962
8: Salom +0.963
9: Disalvo +0.982
10: Rea +1.127.
