PARKALGAR HONDA ace Eugene Laverty backed up claims that he is a potential race winner with actions at the second round of the World Supersport Championship in Qatar by taking second place on the grid behind Yamaha’s Cal Crutchlow.
Miguel Praia crashed his Parkalgar Honda twice in final qualifying but was unhurt and eventually finished in 14th. The race at the Losail circuit takes place on Saturday 14th March at 1125 CET.
Eugene: “I am happy with everything about my Parkalgar Honda and qualifying, it is good, even my race pace. I haven’t completed a full race distance run but very close to it and the rear tyre is fine, we have been working on the front and made that tyre choice as well. Between sessions we concentrated on the front end of the bike and rather than making a small one-step change we made a larger two step change in the direction we think is best and it worked perfectly. We have changed the chassis and geometry to add more weight to the front for improved feel and better turning in the tighter areas of the track. It’s hard to believe that Cal Crutchlow and I qualified and finished together in Phillip Island and we have qualified together again. I’m looking forward to the race.”
Miguel: “I set my best qualifying lap early in the session on a used tyre and then had two crashes. In both crashes I went in to the corners too hot and I am sorry to my crew for the damage to the bikes and the extra work it means for them to repair them. I am disappointed with these crashes but lucky to be uninjured and will make the most of 14th on the grid. I like this circuit, my Parkalgar Honda is good and I really do think the top 10 is achievable.”
Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “What a mega job by Eugene. On ideal times combining the best sectors of each rider he would have been on pole position. His race pace is right at the front along with Sofuoglu, Pitt, Crutchlow and maybe Foret; the winner I expect will come from this group and Eugene has a great chance. Miguel crashed twice but is perfectly OK and has matched his best ever qualifying of 14th so is well placed for scoring points in the race and hopefully getting in the top 10. It’s going to be an exciting and close race.”
Final Qualifying
1 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 2′01.586
2 Laverty E. (IRL) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 2′01.629
3 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 2′01.810
4 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 2′02.266
5 Foret F. (FRA) Yamaha YZF R6 2′02.282
6 Lagrive M. (FRA) Honda CBR600RR 2′02.450
7 Nannelli G. (ITA) Triumph Daytona 675 2′02.497
8 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 2′02.592
9 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph Daytona 675 2′02.634
10 Aitchison M. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 2′02.656
14 Praia M. (POR) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 2′03.098.
