Praia ready to put on the race of his life
PARKALGAR HONDA’S Miguel Praia is 13th on the grid for tomorrow’s 12th and final round of the World Supersport Championship at his home track of Parkalgar near Portimao in Portugal and is determined to put on the race of his life in front of his fans.
Parkalgar Honda’s Sam Lowes is sixth on the grid but has pace in hand as he never pulled together the perfect lap – he is targeting the podium. The race starts at 1330GMT on Sunday, October 16th at the stunning Parkalgar track on the Algarve coast in Portugal.
Miguel: “I am a little disappointed with 13th but the quality of the field is better than ever and the times are close. My Parkalgar Honda is working well and we can make it even better for tomorrow so I think we will find more pace. I am always a better racer than qualifier so I am ready for the race – it will be one of the biggest of my life and I want to score a season’s best in front of the Portuguese fans – the best fans in the world.”
Sam: “That was a tough qualifying session but the second row is not so bad and we know that we can run with any of the other bikes here. My Parkalgar Honda is a great package and I really want to reward the team with a good result and finish the season on a positive note in front of our fans. It’s incredible for me, I am being welcomed here like I am part of the Portuguese family with so many people wishing me well – thank you and I can assure you that the support makes a difference.”
Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager: “Miguel is riding very well and 13th is a good position. It is a platform for him to get a good start and then to mix it with the riders in front because he has the pace to challenge them for sure. He has the bike, the team, the support and the ability, it’s going to be a big race for him, he is so motivated.
“Sam is in very good shape for the race but is not used to being on the second row in qualifying. He never quite got a clear lap but if he had then he would have been on the front row, the ideal times show that. It’s his last chance this year to show what he can achieve and I am confident he will be challenging for the rostrum again.
“If you are Portuguese and like bike racing then please get to Parkalgar tomorrow and support your home team, it’s going to be a great climax to the season.”
Final Qualification
1. David Salom ESP Kawasaki Motocard.com ZX-6R 1min 45.095s
2. Broc Parkes AUS Kawasaki Motocard.com ZX-6R 1min 45.145s
3. Chaz Davies GBR ParkinGO Yamaha YZF-R6 1min 45.253s
4. Florian Marino FRA Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR 1min 45.590s
5. Massimo Roccoli ITA Lorenzini Kawasaki ZX-6R 1min 45.706s
6. Sam Lowes GBR Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR 1min 45.787s
7. Fabien Foret FRA Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR 1min 45.877s
8. Luca Scassa ITA ParkinGO Yamaha YZF-R6 1min 45.968s
9. Gino Rea GBR Step Racing Honda CBR600RR 1min 45.988s
10. James Ellison GBR Bogdanka PTR Honda CBR600RR 1min 46.167s
13. Miguel Praia POR Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR 1min 46.646s