 PORTUGUESE Parkalgar Honda racer Miguel Praia achieved his goal of a top 10 finish in the World Supersport Championship at Misano in Italy in June and has been riding with increased promise ever since – and now he is changing his ambitions for the rest of the season..
“Achieving the top 10 result was something we wanted for a long time,” explained Miguel. “When I achieved it I had a nice sensation but straight away forgot about it and looked to the top five; the top 10 is simply a step towards a bigger target. My Parkalgar Honda team has performed so well and the bike is quality. We have all worked hard to make this happen and while the top 10 came later than expected, it is payback for all the effort.”
At the last round of the Championship at Brno in the Czech Republic, Miguel qualified in his best ever position of 12th as he keeps his run of form continuing. He said: “I don’t know where it will all stop, we just keep going forward.
“We will work harder and Parkalgar Honda still has a chance at the World Championship with my team mate Eugene Laverty. To have us both in the top 10 consistently is our goal. For the size of the team, its limited budget and for it to be less than two-years-old, it is doing incredibly well compared to the other outfits in the paddock.”
The top five is Miguel’s target but he is realistic on achieving it, he said: “The bike is good enough for the top 10 all the time and the biggest thing that needs to improve is me. I am working on my riding and skills to suit the bike and we will get there soon, but first I must consistently score inside the top 10.
“It is a team effort and with the support of the Parkalgar Honda staff and their focus on my performance, we need to work hard to achieve our goals. We must look at the data more and the team will help me develop my riding – I can learn from Eugene and his riding style. Everyone is working so hard right now and we must continue to do so to achieve our maximum; do this and the results will come – for me a top five result will feel like a win.”
Miguel is acutely aware of the pressure on him for the final four rounds of the Championship, not to mention when he makes an appearance at the Parkalgar final round at the team’s own circuit at Portimao. He said: “The last four races are like four big finals for me and we want the best results we can achieve.
“Portimao will be a hard race but if I can continue the momentum and ride as per the pre-season test then there is a chance we could be near the front. I am prepared and motivated for it and the team will give me all its support – this is an important race for our sponsors Parkalgar who own the circuit.
“Last year at Portimao was the first real race for the circuit and this year if I can be riding at the front it would be new for me. It is the next step to get into the top five and I don’t want to be afraid of making it. At Portimao I will be the only Portuguese rider on the grid so the pressure is there to perform but with the help of my team we will be ready for it.”
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