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news
06 Apr 2008
Podium is just reward for Jones
PARKALGAR HONDA’S Craig Jones took a well-deserved podium third place finish at the third round of the World Supersport Championship at Valencia in Spain today, while his team mate Miguel Praia secured a points scoring finish.
Starting from third on the grid, Brit ace Jones settled into a race long battle for second place and the race lead. He eventually finished in third, just 1.5secs behind race winner, Honda’s J Lascorz in a sun-drenched race at the 4005m circuit.
Miguel Praia, who started from 23rd on the grid, raised his performance in front of strong home support from his Portuguese fans and came home in 15th to score a single World Championship point.
The fourth round of the World Supersport Championship takes place at the historic Assen circuit in Holland on Sunday, April 27th.
Craig Jones:
“That was a great race, I thoroughly enjoyed battling at the front of the field. While I am happy with the podium, the racer in me is frustrated at not winning - but I did everything I could today.
“After crashing my number one bike yesterday, we had to rebuild from scratch and try to get the set-up right during warm-up. My Parkalgar Honda team worked their socks off and this third place is for them. This is where we want and deserve to be racing; I can’t wait until Assen and the next round for my next chance to win a race.”
Miguel Praia:
“I wanted to score points today and needed a big performance in front of a lot of home support that came to visit from Portugal. I am very pleased to have finished 15th and achieve my aim.
“I want to use this race as a platform to improve and constantly score points – with the top 10 my next target. Thank you to my Parkalgar Honda team for all their support, my CBR600 was good and we are all focussed on improving results.”
Simon Buckmaster, Team Manager:
“What a great race by Craig, he put in a lot of effort and the podium place is a very just reward. It is his second podium finish out of three races and it sets him out as a Championship contender. Perhaps more immediate than that is the desire from him and the Parkalgar Honda team to secure a first World Supersport win – we are close and it will come soon.
“Miguel pulled through and worked very hard on his performance this weekend. A single point is a good result in this very competitive Championship. He is applying himself well and continues to improve and we look forward to more scoring results as the year progresses.
“My thanks go to all of the Parkalgar Honda fans that made the trip to Valencia, as well as the Portuguese circuit staff who attended. We gave them a podium to cheer and showed them we can compete at the front of the World Championship and will travel to Assen in high spirits.”
Race Result:
1: J Lascorz, ESP, Honda
2: F Foret, FRA, Yamaha +1.125
3: CRAIG JONES, GBR (PARKALGAR HONDA) +1.530
4: B Parkes, AUS, Yamaha +10.514
5: G Nannelli, ITA, Honda +17.492
6: J Rea, GBR, Honda +17.602
...
15: MIGUEL PRAIA, POR, (PARKALGAR HONDA) +40.227
Championship Positions (after three rounds)
1: Lascorz 54
2: Parkes 38
3: Foret 33
4: Brookes 33
5: CRAIG JONES, PARKALGAR HONDA 32
6: A Pitt, Aus, Honda 33
...
23: MIGUEL PRAIA, PARKALGAR HONDA 4
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