THE Parkalgar Honda team completed the third and final day of the official World Supersport test at Parkalgar Algarve Motor Park circuit near Portimao in Portugal on a high, knowing that it is in excellent shape for the challenging season ahead.

The final day of the test was hampered by wet weather in the morning and difficult damp conditions in the afternoon which stopped the Parkalgar Honda riders from improving on their impressive lap times set yesterday afternoon. During that dry session, Miguel Praia scorched to fourth place and Eugene Laverty upped his game to claim sixth position.

Parkalgar Honda and Ten Kate Honda are the only teams to have two riders in the top six. The Ten Kate team already has seven World Supersport titles to its name and is the team to beat, so Parkalgar Honda is starting the season off in a strong position.

Miguel Praia said: “I’m really pleased with how all of our testing has gone. My CBR600RR has felt good from the start and now it is set-up how I like it, I’m able to make a lot of progress. I think testing on my home track has helped too and I have improved my lap times so much even since we last raced here. I can’t wait to get to the first round and see what we can do. I feel confident in my new 2009 bike and in myself. I’m looking forward to getting back to racing.”

Eugene Laverty said: “We have made a huge amount of progress during this test. We made a big breakthrough on Friday evening and on Saturday we got the bike working more how I like it and we started going in the right direction. We have finished up in sixth place just a fraction behind World Champion Andrew Pitt so I feel happy and ready to go racing. My bike is really fast and we are on a power with the opposition which was our aim. I’m looking forward to the first round at Phillip Island I know the track well and my bike is working, it is great to be leaving the test on such a high.”

Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager said: “This test has been extremely positive for us. Both our Parkalgar Honda riders are in much better shape than at the start of the test. I’m pleased with the progress with the 2009 bike all our technicians have done a fantastic job. Also our technical partners Motech and Ohlins have helped to give us a very competitive package to start the season.

“I’ve seen a massive improvement in Miguel and that is good for everyone. Eugene made more changes and now the bike is starting to react how he wants it to, he has found a good setting which is really working for him. Eugene has gone from two seasons of racing two-strokes to running top six in a very competitive four-stroke championship. We are going to Australia in a very positive frame of mind and intend to be challenging for the 2009 title from the moment the lights go out.”

The World Supersport season kicks off on the 1st March in Phillip Island. For further information on Parkalgar Honda’s progress please visit www.parkalgar-honda.com

Saturday Second Timed Session

1 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1′45.214
2 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1′45.264
3 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1′45.397
4 117 Praia M. (POR) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′45.757
5 1 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1′45.817
6 50 Laverty E. (IRL) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′45.960

PARKALGAR HONDA’S Miguel Praia posted the fourth fastest time during the second day of the official World Supersport test at the team’s home Parkalgar Algarve Motor Park circuit near Portimao in Portugal – while Eugene Laverty made a dramatic improvement to finish sixth quickest.

Portuguese local Miguel has started 2009 with real enthusiasm, challenging at the Almeria test for top honours earlier in the week and then posting a top six time yesterday. In today’s dry afternoon session he stepped up another gear to take fourth – a full one-second faster than his race best at the same track just over two months ago.

Miguel said: “I have worked hard on my fitness and preparation over the winter and the new 2009 Parkalgar Honda is very good. We are still working on developing the bike and I am very confident we can keep on improving. My lap time is much better than the race here in November, which is very encouraging.”

Parkalgar Honda racer Eugene Laverty benefited from following Miguel for a number of laps to learn the circuit turning points and braking markers. The Irishman improved from 16th yesterday to sixth today, less than three-quarters of a second behind fastest man Juan Lascorz on a Kawasaki.

“Thank you to Miguel for giving me a tow for a couple of laps, it really helped me to get to grips with the track,” explained Eugene. “I tried two different fork settings settings and found a big improvement. It has been a good day and now I am within touching distance of the front runners I am much happier.”

Tomorrow is the final day of the test and rain is forecast, although the Parkalgar Honda team is hoping it will remain dry so it can pursue further dry lap time improvements.

Parkalgar Honda Team Manager Simon Buckmaster said: “Miguel is absolutely flying and the team is really upbeat that he is riding so well. He also helped Eugene and that is something we all value – we are a team, not two teams within one. Eugene has improved dramatically by simply concentrating on his own riding and now has a better direction on his bike as well. We hope it doesn’t rain tomorrow, but already this has been a fantastic test for the team, with both riders in the top six – well done to everyone.”

A report on the final day of testing will be available tomorrow (Sunday 25th Jan), along with photographs at www.parkalgar-honda.com

Saturday Second Timed Session

1 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1′45.214
2 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1′45.264
3 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1′45.397
4 117 Praia M. (POR) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′45.757
5 1 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1′45.817
6 50 Laverty E. (IRL) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′45.960.

PARKALGAR HONDA racer Miguel Praia posted the sixth fastest time on the opening day of the official three-day World Supersport test at the team’s home track in Portugal.

Following on from his good form at the two-day test at Almeria in Spain earlier this week, Portuguese ace Praia lapped the picturesque 4.592km Parkalgar Algarve Motor Park in the sixth fastest time of the day and was less than a second from fastest rider Juan Lascorz on a Kawasaki.

With rain in the morning and a damp track in the afternoon, conditions were less than ideal for Praia but he used his knowledge of the circuit and the improved performance of his Parkalgar Honda 2009 Supersport bike to show what he is capable of.

Parkalgar Honda rider Eugene Laverty took a steady approach building his confidence and finished the day 16th. The Irish rider made progress and took a minimum of risks.

Parkalgar Honda Team Manager Simon Buckmaster said: “It has been wetter than we would have liked but that didn’t dampen Miguel’s performance, he was riding very well and on the pace with the front runners.

“Eugene would have preferred a dry track but he applied himself professionally and made good set-up progress which will benefit him over the next two days. There is plenty more to come from both our riders and the new 2009 Parkalgar Honda - and hopefully we will have dry weather tomorrow.”

For day-by-day reports on the Parkalgar Honda test, visit www.parkalgar-honda.com.

Supersport session two times:

1 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1′49.046
2 35 Crutchlow C. (GBR) Yamaha YZF R6 1′49.166
3 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1′49.366
4 77 Veneman B. (NED) Suzuki GSX-R600 1′49.407
5 1 Pitt A. (AUS) Honda CBR600RR 1′49.592
6 117 Praia M. (POR) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′49.941
7 105 Vizziello G. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1′50.276
8 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Yamaha YZF R6 1′50.496
9 69 Nannelli G. (ITA) Triumph 675 1′50.499
10 24 McCoy G. (AUS) Triumph 675 1′51.067
16 50 Laverty E. (IRL) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1′53.098.

Already my preseason testing schedule is over and it’ll soon be time to go racing. Our two day test in Almeria proved difficult and I struggled to find a setting that allowed me to push. I notched up 170 laps yet we hadn’t found the answer to my handling woes. The conditions were very cold over the two days but typically the sun came out the next day when we were leaving!

We made a major breakthrough at the following test which was held on the Algarve at the circuit owned by my team Parkalgar. The three day test was hampered by even worse conditions with rain and strong winds restricting our dry track time. Nevertheless we managed to make the jump into the top six on day two thanks to a lot of hard work. My mechanics had their work cut out changing rear shock and front forks more often than they did wheels but in the end we stepped into the ball park which made it all worthwhile. My teammate Miguel was on the pipe finishing the test fourth overall so it’s great for the entire team to start the season on a high.

The day after the test I stayed behind to do a photoshoot along with Pippa for a new Northern Irish magazine called IN! The photos turned out pretty cool so I’m looking forward to seeing the feature when it hits the shelves in a month’s time. It’ll be my first non-racing magazine article; next up autobiography! Ok maybe I need to win a world title before I begin writing ‘The Life of Norge’. I’m on my way back home for a few days before I head over to the London Excel Bike Show. I’ll be along with Johnny Rea and Leon Haslam so we’ll have a bita craic no doubt.

Today is my dad’s 60th birthday so if you haven’t sent a card, don’t worry, he’s not big on birthdays! I guess the way he sees it he’s had 59 of them already, what’s the big deal about this one?

Laters,

Eugene

THE Parkalgar Honda team completed its second and final day of its first pre-season test today at Almeria in Spain with both riders making improvements and working hard on their new 2009 CBR600RR Hondas.

With cooler and more blustery conditions the team had to wait for the track temperature to rise before they could pick up where they left off on Monday.

Miguel Praia was impressive round the 4.3Km circuit bettering his time from last year despite the difficult conditions and was really getting a feel for his 2009 CBR600RR Honda. He was fast, consistent and competitive completing a total of 146 laps over the two days.

Eugene Laverty worked through a plethora of changes which will stand by him in the future. He is still looking for the exact feel that he wants but over all it was a very positive test allowing the Irish rider to bond with his new team and bike. Laverty completed 171 laps during the test.

Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager said: “I’m pleased with how this initial test has gone I feel it has been very positive. Miguel put in some of the best riding I’ve ever seen from him which is a great start. He tested a lot of parts and worked around a setting from last year. I’m really pleased with his progress. Eugene is still learning his machine and worked very hard to get through as many settings as possible which will be useful once the season kicks off. Everyone is looking forward to getting to our home circuit the Autodromo Internacional Algarve in Portugal where I’m sure both Miguel and Eugene will improve even more.”

The Parkalgar Honda team will move on to its home circuit for the official World Superbike test on the 23rd-25th January. The World Supersport season kicks off on the 1st March in Phillip Island.

For further information on Parkalgar Honda’s progress please visit www.parkalgar-honda.com

PARKALGAR HONDA’S Eugene Laverty took it easy over the Christmas holidays with his family back in Toomebridge in Northern Ireland ahead of the pre-season testing which is about to commence.

This is the first Christmas in a couple of years that Eugene has spent in Ireland and being the biking family that the Laverty’s are they spent a large part of the holiday riding various motorcycles. He said: “We had a nice quiet Christmas with all the family there. We went out on both our trials and motocross bikes all through the Christmas holidays and it was great. On New Year’s Day we did a cross country event held at Crossgar, Johnny Rea took part too. We finished eighth overall which wasn’t bad considering we were up against top Irish motocross riders.”

Now with Christmas over Eugene has decided to hit the slopes and is currently in Austria near Saltzberg skiing with some friends. He explained: “A friend who worked with me when I was at Redbull invited us out and she has been giving us skiing lessons. I’ve skied before but just with my brothers and we didn’t really go in for lessons! We have been learning and improving a lot over the past few days.”

Like everyone at this time of the year Eugene has been hitting the gym but admitted that he didn’t over indulge during Christmas. He said: “Training has been good over Christmas as I didn’t let up on it. Usually I’ve no interest in it over Christmas as I want to party but because we were out on the bikes a lot partying wasn’t an option as we were going motocrossing.”

The Parkalgar Honda Team is back on track in Almeria on the 19th January before heading to its home track in Portimao for the first official World Superbike test. Eugene can’t wait to get back on his bike, saying: “I’m really looking forward to getting out there and blowing the cobwebs away. The Parkalgar circuit is one of the most interesting circuits I’ve ever experienced and that is why it is one of my favourites. They have done a great job as it has all the facilities of other big circuits like Qatar but with natural undulations that they don’t have.”

For further up dates on the Parkalgar Honda team’s progress please visit www.parkalgar-honda.com

My ’09 website is up and running and doesn’t it look the part? My mate Stewarty has done a great job pimping it out. ‘Twitter’ is a great addition to the site, updates will be regular throughout testing, training, racing and just general day to day goings on.

Tomorrow I’ll be back on track to begin my preseason testing schedule. Right now I’m sat in Parkalgar’s race truck at the Spanish circuit of Almeria and I’m peaking having had my first glimpse of my new bike! Stealth mode looks mean. We have two days on track here before moving onto my team’s track in Portimao. We’ll treat this as a shakedown test so that we can arrive in Portugal ready to take on all comers. Everyone will be testing at Portimao as it’s an official test so that will give us a good indication of where we stand before we head down under for round one.

At the beginning of the month I enjoyed a week’s skiing in Austria with my friends McFeely, Dysey and his girlfriend Gilly. My old buddy Ariane Frank (in no way referring to your age Ms Frank), formerly of Red Bull UK, and her boyfriend Barry joined us on the slopes for a few days. It was great to learn a thing or two from Ari rather than just trying to go fast or looking out for jumps on the off piste! Ok I still did both but to a lesser degree. It’s crazy the speeds you get up to onboard the two planks, we seen 96kph appear on my Garmin and I reckon 120 was possible.

I’ll keep you posted throughout the test, fingers crossed we get off to a good start.

Eugene