Laverty honours Jones with Losail win
Added on Monday, March 16th, 2009 by Carole Nash Editor
Laverty honours Jones with Losail win
Eugene Laverty took the chequered flag in Saturday’s World Supersport race in Qatar and later dedicated the victory to the late Craig Jones.
Laverty secured his maiden victory in World Supersport on only his second race for the Parkalgar Honda team at Losail, narrowly beating defending champion Andrew Pitt to the finish line although a mix-up with the pit boards towards the end of the race meant that it wasn’t until after the Australian had congratulated him that Laverty realised his achievement.
And the Irishman, who joined the Parkalgar team this season, dedicated the victory to the British rider.
Craig Jones, 23, tragically passed away following a crash at Brands Hatch last season whilst riding for the Parkalgar Honda Team.
Laverty’s Honda also carries Jones’ number 18 decal in tribute to the rider.
“I was a little confused by my pit board and mid-race I thought it said seventh,” said Laverty. “I dropped back from the lead and it said fourth so I got back on the pace.
“When I led again I read seventh and I just decided to get my head down and do my best to win on the track and see what happened later; so it wasn’t until the second turn on the cool-down lap when Andrew Pitt congratulated me on the victory that I realised I had won. We had discussed my pit-board signals before the race and it was my mistake and it’ll not happen again.
“It was a strange race because it was a lot easier to drive and follow than lead; but my Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR is brilliant and I was able to get good drive and pass Andrew early on the straight on the last lap to win.
“It is unbelievable that for the last couple of years I have been fighting for points and now I am winning a race on my second attempt with Parkalgar Honda and challenging for a World title. All I can say is thank you to the whole Parkalgar Honda team, Simon, Brains, everyone – not to mention the Parkalgar circuit, Ohlins, Motec and all the team partners. I dedicate this win to Craig Jones who did all the work bringing the team to this level.”
Britain’s Cal Crutchlow continued his good start to his World Supersports career, finishing third.
