EUGENE LAVERTY finished third and Miguel Praia 12th after the official two-day test at Phillip Island in Australia ahead of this weekend’s opening round of the World Supersport Championship at the same track. A new development tyre from Pirelli and changeable windy weather added different dimensions to the test but both racers took their time and approached the test professionally, learning and improving with every lap. The opening round of the Championship takes place this weekend at the dramatic sea-side circuit in Australia with practice and qualifying on Friday and Saturday before the race at 1330 local time on Sunday. Eugene: “Altogether it has been a really good test. We got lots of work done and we set the Parkalgar Honda up with the new tyre from Pirelli as well. It was really windy in the afternoon and the direction of the wind was tough – through the fast turns seven and eight I would normally be flat out but had to roll off the throttle as I was being caught by the wind. I am happy though, with the changing conditions and temperature you can need two bikes for this track and if you rush you can get things wrong but we have taken it in our stride. I am confident for the race that it will be between me, Sofuloglu and Lascorz – there could be a few others in there as well with Pirro and Foret posting good times.” Miguel: “After 134-laps I am pretty tired, it was hard work over the two days with the conditions being so different. In the last session I was the only rider to better my lap time so we definitely improved my Parkalgar Honda. The morning was suited for quick times but I wasn’t ready to go then. The new tyre from Pirelli is taller and seems better suited to warmer conditions although I set my fastest time on a standard race tyre. I finished the last session in eighth which is where I expected and wanted to be so I am looking forward – we have a lot of information from all the laps to analyse and that will help us in the race.” Simon Buckmaster, Team Manager, Parkalgar Honda: “Miguel ended the test strongly with an improved time while everyone else struggled in the wind; that will set him up well for the race. Eugene was right on the pace and he set his best time on the race rather than the development tyre, which is likely to be used this weekend in the race. We have learnt a lot and are in pretty good shape for the race.” Phillip Island Test Overall Times 1 26 Lascorz J. (ESP) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’34.374 2 54 Sofuoglu K. (TUR) Honda CBR600RR 1’34.691 3 50 Laverty E. (IRL) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1’34.753 4 51 Pirro M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1’34.793 5 37 Fujiwara K. (JPN) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’34.994 6 99 Foret F. (FRA) Kawasaki ZX-6R 1’35.060 7 55 Roccoli M. (ITA) Honda CBR600RR 1’35.379 8 16 Charpentier S. (FRA) Triumph Daytona 675 1’35.735 9 127 Harms R. (DEN) Honda CBR600RR 1’35.758 10 25 Salom D. (ESP) Triumph Daytona 675 1’35.764 12 117 Praia M. (POR) PARKALGAR HONDA CBR600RR 1’36.039