EUGENE LAVERTY and Miguel Praia are confident for Sunday’s opening round of the World Supersport Championship after a strong showing by the Parkalgar Honda pair in the first practice and qualifying sessions of the season at Phillip Island in Australia today.Irishman Laverty is 10th and Portugal’s Praia is 14th after the first dry qualifying session, with both riders slashing their lap times as the day progressed. Honda’s Andrew Pitt is on pole position ahead of tomorrow’s second practice and final qualifying sessions. The race starts at 0325 CET on Sunday, March 1st.
Eugene: “My lap time is good and I am one of the fastest riders who did not test here recently - Harms just edged me but everyone else in front of me had the benefit of a test. We haven’t changed a lot on my Parkalgar Honda since the last test as it feels good but we will alter a few things for tomorrow on the chassis and with the gearing to suit the circuit better. I had a small spill at the Honda Hairpin carrying too much brake into the corner but I am not hurt as it was very slow. I am looking forward to the race and in the cool conditions we can run consistent lap times; the rest of the weekend is set to be cooler so that’s good news.”
Miguel: “Today has been quite good; I am 1.2secs faster than my best lap time of last year already. I still have some work to do with the setting on my bike but it is comfortable and I am improving my riding as well. The window for a quick qualifying lap was quite small and I missed out slightly as the temperature increased in the last 20-minutes and the circuit is faster when cooler. I didn’t score points here last year but that is what I want this time round and I feel it is on the cards and a top 10 is very possible.”
Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “It’s been a good opening day to the new season for Parkalgar Honda. The riders may not have tested here but they have already closed the gap on the field and that will reduce tomorrow and will not be a factor in the race. Eugene is still finding his feet and is less than half a second from the front row so I expect him to improve his grid position. Miguel is riding really well and in a much better position than last year. The Parkalgar Honda race bikes look fantastic, the team is working well together and we are in good shape.”
First Qualifying
1 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1′34.833
2 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1′34.895
3 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 1′35.063
4 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 1′35.431
5 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1′35.469
6 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1′35.589
7 West A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1′35.641
8 Nannelli G. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 1′35.644
9 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1′35.778
10 Laverty E. (IRL) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′35.833
14 Praia M. (POR) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′36.220.
