PARKALGAR HONDA racer Miguel Praia finished fourth in the Parkalgar official World Supersport test in late January. After a best result of 12th in 2008 the Portuguese star is stepping up to the mark in 2009. “I feel now with my experience it is time to lead the team,” explained a relaxed Miguel, returning from a cycle-training session. “I want to be the team leader and help my team mate Eugene Laverty it will be hard for him coming into this very competitive class. Already, I have helped him by showing him the lines at our home Parkalgar track. “I want to spend a lot of time with my team talking through the data and technical details. I feel different this year – I am not doing anything different but it is working.” Two major changes to Miguel’s pre-season preparations may be combining to help with the rich run of form he is currently enjoying. After an accident at Magny Cours late in 2008 he was forced to stop physical training and rest during December. At the same time he has continued to ride motorcycles through the off-season. “My crash in Magny Cours left me with injured ribs and I had to full stop my training in December to recover,” said Miguel. “That meant preparing later for the race season than normal for me and now I am really trying hard. I train up to three times a day with cycling, running and the gym to be fit in time for the racing. I am also working hard to take off the weight I put on in December, my ideal weight is 63kgs and with three weeks to go I am 64kgs, so I am nearly there with my physical condition. “I have also been riding motorcycles a lot. At the Parkalgar circuit in Portugal I have been busy, as well as for Honda Portugal. On top of this I flew to Qatar with Honda for the new CBR600 launch and rode there as well. Normally during the winter a rider will not ride a motorcycle at all but I have been riding so much.” Miguel also identifies team improvements as a major contributor to his good test showing, he said: “My Parkalgar Honda team has done a great job over the winter and I am much more confident in the whole package. The engine, suspension and electronics all feel improved and I am getting on very well with my new crew chief Phil it is fantastic so far, the very highest level and a great team to work with.” In 2008 Miguel finished in 21st position at Phillip Island but he has higher hopes returning to Australia for the opening round of the 2009 Championship. “Phillip Island is one of the hardest tracks for me and the team,” he revealed. “It simply does not suit my riding style and we will not get the opportunity to test there before the race; but I think we are more competitive now. “In 2008 I choose the wrong tyre in Australia and many of the main teams had tested the week before while we had not, so it was difficult. I think we can be more competitive but it will still be one of the toughest races of the season for the Parkalgar Honda team. “I am really concentrating on my training and riding right now. I am watching recordings of the 2008 races so I can improve and want to change the story of my season and results. I can’t wait to get racing.”