Honda Powersports Racing - Road Schedule - 09 World Supersport

Eugene Laverty (Parkalgar Honda CBR600RR) had an almost perfect Supersport race weekend at Portimao, scoring the pole position, winning the 20-lap event, and finishing the season only 7 points from the championship.

Laverty rode his heart out to win by 3.443 seconds ahead of 2007 World Champion Kenan Sofuoglu who was also riding a CBR600RR Honda, but for the Ten Kate team.

Laverty’s fourth win of the year contributed to Honda winning the Manufacturers’ Title, by 13 points.

Sofuoglu was a solid second in this race, having qualified fourth and run up front for the entire distance.

Sofuoglu finished his year third overall after he was unable to touch the pace of Laverty in what were hot and dry race conditions.

Defending champion Andrew Pitt (Hannspree Ten Kate Honda CBR600RR) moved up to sixth in this years points, finishing 11th in Portugal.

A ninth-place in qualifying was translated into fifth in the race for Althea Honda’s Mark Aitchison, and he ends the season in ninth overall.

I was able to ride within myself and take the win," Laverty said. "I didn’t think when I came into the championship we could compete for the title, but I ended up only a few points from the championship win.

Sofuoglu: “My first goal this weekend was to stay in third place. It’s been a tough season but my goal will be to come back strong next year. The bike is ready to win the championship again and that’s what we will be working for.”