PARKALGAR HONDA travels to Phillip Island in Australia ready to mount a title challenge for the World Supersport Championship with last year’s runner-up Eugene Laverty and the fast improving Miguel Praia.

Using brand new 2010 Honda CBR600R machinery the Parkalgar Honda team will take to the circuit on 21st and 22nd February for a test before returning for the opening round: practice starts on Friday 26th with further practice and qualifying on Saturday 27th and then race day on Sunday 28th February.
Eugene: “We had a good test at Parkalgar in Portugal last month and will be looking to continue that at Phillip Island ahead of the race. We’ll work a bit more on the chassis and front end of the bike. Overall we know we have a good wet and dry base set-up which is a step forward from our previous visit. Last year I didn’t expect to fight for the title and only really realised it was a possibility after round four at Assen. This year it is different, my team, Parkalgar Honda race bike and all the circuits and my competition – Lazcorz and Sofuoglu - are now familiar to me; they are known quantities. There is room for improvement from 2009 and we have achieved that and there is no reason I cannot win the race and lead the Championship right from the start. It’s gonna be good.”
Miguel: “The Phillip Island test will help me to fine-tune my Parkalgar Honda and learn a bit more about the new electronics package from Motec. I am comfortable with my bike and the team and working with my new Crew Chief Mark Woodage is good, he really motivates me and is helping to develop my knowledge of bike set-up. My winter season has been excellent and I am at my ideal weight of 65kgs. My target for the season is to help Parkalgar Honda and Eugene Laverty to win the World Supersport Championship and to get myself into the top 10 in the series. I need to develop the speed so I can help Eugene. I am feeling confident and looking forward to the start of the season.”
Simon Buckmaster, Team Manager: “After the test at Parkalgar last month the Parkalgar Honda team goes to Phillip Island in very good shape and deserving of the tag Championship favourite. We aim to start 2010 where we left off in 2009 which was dominating the final race and winning with Eugene. He has matured as a rider and now has a better understanding of the team, tracks, competitors and his own abilities, he is very strong. Miguel comes off the back of a good winter and positive test and has also benefited from a new Crew Chief, our realistic target is to get him into the top eight at Phillip Island and build form there, we have belief in him and the Parkalgar Honda package. We can’t wait to get racing, the Parkalgar Honda Championship challenge starts now.”