REA AND LAVERTY GOING FOR GOLD ON THE ALGARVE

2010-03-24 07:15
The Algarve coast is the location for the Portimao circuit, the host venue for the second round of the 2010 Superbike and Supersport World Championships, making it the first round of the year in Europe.

Already a popular venue for racing and testing, the relatively new Portimao circuit packs in a huge variety of rider challenges along its 4.592km length, with frequent changes of elevation and blind corner entries. An official winter test session has taken place at Portimao, in late January, meaning that for most riders the track will not be an unknown quantity on their 2010 machines.

For Jonathan Rea (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) Portimao was a happy hunting ground in 2009, having secured a second and third place on his Honda. The recent January tests saw Rea top the Superbike times, while in the Supersport division Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR) set the fastest time in his chosen category.

Laverty is the Supersport championship leader after his convincing victory at Phillip Island last month and he will be hoping for a repeat of his 2009 WSS victory in Portugal this weekend.

Another Supersport championship hopeful for Honda, Kenan Sofuoglu (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR), is another proven winner at Portimao back in 2008, although he could not test in January because of an ankle injury picked up in winter training. Currently Sofuoglu is third in the championship, on 16 points to Laverty's 25 and Kawasaki rider Joan Lascorz's 20.

Max Neukirchner (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR1000RR) was unable to compete the way he wanted to in Australia, but with more track time at a circuit he has tested at on his Fireblade he feels able to get back to his very best.

Portuguese WSS rider Miguel Praia (Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR) is out to have the best race of his career at home this weekend, having scored a top ten last time out in Australia.

Vittorio Iannuzzo (Squadra Corse Italia Garvie Image CBR1000RR) is chasing his first points of 2010 in Portugal, after finishing just outside the top 15 twice in Australia. South African rider Sheridan Morais (ECHO CRS Honda CBR1000RR) has been called on to replace regular rider Broc Parkes, as the Aussie continues his recovery from a pre-season training injury.

Michele Pirro (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) was disappointed to have had bad luck in Australia but is now completely ready to make his mark in round two. The talented Italian rider was fast in pre-season testing at Portimao and should be well ahead with his machine set-up even before the first practice session starts.

Massimo Roccoli (Czech Intermoto Honda CBR600RR) has his focus on a top six finish, while his new team-mate Gino Rea (Czech Intermoto Honda CBR600RR) is particularly keen to race at a circuit he knows well for this first time in his rookie season.

After Portimao the next round takes the entire paddock to Valencia in Spain, with raceday falling on 11 April.


WSB RIDER COMMENTS

Jonathan Rea: "Australia was tough, but still satisfying. It was important to come away from there with some solid points, so a fourth and a sixth wasn't too bad. I feel like we've blown the dust off the season now and it's really got started, especially now we're heading back to Europe. I've been working hard away from the track on my fitness and conditioning and I know that the guys have been working equally hard back at the workshop, getting a bike together that we know can work at European tracks. I like Portimao, and we had a good test there in January, so we'll be looking for podium finishes as that's what we need to be doing now. I'm not naïve enough to think anything's going to be easy, but I'm optimistic for the weekend.

Max Neukirchner: "I'm now really ready for another race weekend in Portimao — it's a track that I like very much and we have tested there twice. We found something in the very last hour of the last test that we think will work there, but there are some new electronics to try as well. Of course, I am looking for an improvement on the results in Australia, a very big improvement. But nevertheless I'm happy having being able to do two races. Physically I have never felt that fit after a race weekend like after that race."

Vittorio Iannuzzo: "The Australian race was difficult because we are arrived in Phillip Island without testing many of our parts. But the race was useful to understand the way to increase our competitiveness. After three weeks of work since Australia my team is ready to improve the settings of the electronics, which is our main area of focus now. I am sure that there will be the good chance for a positive race in Portimao because of the effort put in by the technicians."

Sheridan Morais: "I will be riding for the team at Portimao and Valencia because Broc is still recovering from his injury. Broc is getting better at a good pace but the team just wants him to heal properly before he comes back into action. I am looking forward to the weekend in Portugal and being back in SBK racing."


WSS RIDER COMMENTS

Eugene Laverty: "We know from last year's race and the January test, as well as our performance at Phillip Island, that we are in good shape. We will continue to work hard on set-up. You never get bored at Portimao; it is that sort of a circuit and there is always something to improve. I think Joan and Kenan will be strong. In Portugal if you can do one fast lap you can probably do them for the whole race. It is great to get the support of the local fans in Portugal; they really get behind the whole team. I have been training hard in the nice spring weather and I am refreshed and ready for the race."

Kenan Sofuoglu: "After Australia I was very disappointed with the result. But, after a few days, I was happy, because if we can achieve a solid podium finish with the problems we had there, then we can do even better at other circuits. So we will go to Portimao to at least get another podium but, of course, our plan is to win the race. Unfortunately, I couldn't test there in January because of my broken ankle, but I have been working hard on my fitness and feel good now. We have some new electronics to use at Portimao, so I am looking forward to the weekend."

Michele Pirro: "In Australia we worked hard through the practice and qualifying sessions to get a front row starting position, but then the race was two different stories. I am really looking forward to a weekend in Portimao without these misadventures and, if everything is OK, I think we could be fighting for the leading positions again and get a good result. I have continued my training and now I feel really fit. I will face up to the race weekend with the maximum concentration, because in this category the first step to achieving victory is not to make mistakes."

Massimo Roccoli: "We had a few things to overcome in Australia and I had to ride my second bike in the re-started race, but we were still inside the top six. Back in Europe we have had time to prepare so I feel we can do well in Portimao."

Miguel Praia: "Racing at home for Parkalgar is a big responsibility as I am the only Portuguese rider in the World Championship. But this is my third time racing here and I am experienced with this. I am also more relaxed after showing in a normal race situation in Australia I can compete for a finish in the top 10, equalling my best result ever. I want to make a better race and fight for a similar performance as our test here, when I finished fourth. I need to make baby steps, as I have never finished in the top five before. It is a realistic target because I have a fantastic bike and team but I will need the race of my life to achieve it."

Gino Rea: "At the previous round in Australia I didn't know the track, but I have ridden in Portimao a few times and always gone well there. We should go well and be a step ahead of where we were going into PI. The track was new to me and it was my first race in Supersport, but at least I have been round Portugal before and always done well. That has given my confidence a boost. Our aim is to find good chassis setting right away and run closer to the front than we did in Australia."

Source: Honda Pro Image

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