Parkalgar Honda returns to the action

PARKALGAR HONDA’S Miguel Praia will return to the race action at Donington Park this weekend for round 10 of the World Supersport Championship following a four week break in the calendar.
The Portuguese rider gained valuable experience of the flowing 2.5-mile GP circuit when he and his Parkalgar Honda team took part in the fourth round of the British Supersport Championship earlier this year. Praia finished in a superb third place and his team left the circuit with some useful data ahead of this weekend’s Championship round.

Praia will be the sole Parkalgar Honda rider this weekend at what would have been his late team-mate Craig Jones’s second home round. A tribute will be paid to Craig on race day.

First qualifying takes place on Friday 5th September, with second qualifying on Saturday 6th September. The World Supersport race takes place on Sunday 7th September at 1320, and will be shown live on British Eurosport or it can be watched online at www.worldsbk.com.

Simon Buckmaster, Team Manager Parkalgar Honda: "It is not going to be easy this weekend but Miguel and the team will concentrate on doing the best job that they can and achieving the best result possible.

"The tribute to Craig we feel is fitting for a great, well loved and respected rider. It’s also an opportunity for the World Superbike paddock and the race fans to say ‘Goodbye’ to Craig. It is a big loss to the team but we will be putting 100 per cent effort behind Miguel this weekend and I know that our professionalism as a team will move us forward as Craig would have wanted."

Superb sixth for Toseland

Britain’s only MotoGP contender James Toseland has scored a superb sixth place finish at the 14th round of the 2008 series at Misano today. The Tech 3 Yamaha rider capitalised on his front row start at the sun-drenched San Marino circuit to secure a further ten points to add to his championship tally.

Toseland is enjoying a positive first year in the world’s premier motorcycle racing series so far. The double World Superbike Champion has been on a steep learning curve since the series began, having never visited the majority of the circuits on the calendar before. However, the Isle of Man resident is benefiting from the experience of the Tech 3 Yamaha team and team-mate and MotoGP veteran Colin Edwards.

Toseland has competed at the 4.064km Misano track prior to today’s race, and his familiarity with the circuit’s layout no doubt helped him to score his best result of the season so far.
After a good start from the line, he rode consistently aboard the Tech 3 Yamaha throughout the opening stages of the race to move up into fifth position, despite a thrilling battle with Chris Vermeulen and Loris Capirossi. Although Toseland was unable to maintain his position until the end of the race, he is pleased to be back in the top six riders after a frustrating few rounds.

"We got off to a great start, but the heat was relentless!" says Toseland. "My team has worked so hard and I’m pleased we’re back up at the front with the leading riders. There’s just five rounds left to go this year and I’m really enjoying the challenge. I’m pleased to be back in the top six and I’d like to thank all my fans for their support."

Toseland back on track

Britain’s James Toseland has signalled his intent to score a positive result at the 14th round of the 2008 MotoGP Championship with two promising free practice sessions at Misano. The 27-year-old has used today’s valuable track time to fine-tune the set-up of his Tech 3 Yamaha ahead of tomorrow’s two qualifying sessions.

Toseland is familiar with the 4.064km San Marino circuit’s layout, having competed at the track on numerous occasions during the World Superbike Championship. However, this is his first experience of the circuit on a MotoGP machine, so he has much to learn before race day on Sunday.

Despite this, Toseland quickly got to grips with the Misano track today, finishing ninth during the morning free practice session with a best time of 1'36.740. He also managed to improve his best lap to 1'36.105 during the afternoon, and finished within the top ten riders overall. His American team-mate Colin Edwards finished the morning session in second position and set the eighth fastest time in second free practice.

Toseland is upbeat about his performance today, and looks forward to further improving the bike’s set-up during tomorrow’s qualifying session. "I’m really pleased to be back in top ten," he says. "I’d also like to congratulate Michelin on the progress they’ve made with the tyres as the rubber we’ve got this weekend is definitely back in the ball park."

"I’m happy with how both free practice sessions played out. The weather also seems to be stable, which is going to allow us to progress even further tomorrow."