EUGENE LAVERTY completed his first test for his new Parkalgar Honda team today at the Parkalgar Algarve Motor Park Circuit near Portimao in Portugal. The Irishman from Toomebridge in Northern Ireland spent the day getting to know his Parkalgar Honda team and the CBR600RR race bike. As well as having the bike fitted for him personally, he asked for adjustments to the balance to suit his riding style. By the end of the day he was lapping fast enough to have been competitive in the race despite having limited track time and experience. Eugene said: “I am so happy to be out on a track again. The Parkalgar Algarve Motor Park is a wonderful track, one of the best in the world, if not the best in my opinion, and I’ve been everywhere with MotoGP recently. “The 2008 Parkalgar Honda is quick and once we dialled my set-up into it, now feels really fast on the turns and confident through the corners. It’s not quite there yet but it is only our first day…there’s a lot more to come but one thing is for sure, we have a great package and these Irish eyes are smiling.” Eugene tested on the 2008 Parkalgar Honda at the 4.592km circuit and his next outing will be on an evolution version of the 2009 race bike early next year. Parkalgar Honda Team Manager Simon Buckmaster said: “That was a very successful test and the team and Eugene go away from here with a lot of optimism for the future. We have a rider, bike and team that can go for the Championship in 2009 and we can all feel the excitement building already. “The team is back to England now to concentrate on developing the new 2009 CBR600 race bikes. Once they are complete it will be winter testing, it will all happen very quickly.” For more information on Parkalgar Honda, visit www.parkalgar-honda.com.