Ireland’s Eugene Laverty has just been confirmed as signing for the Parkalgar Honda World Superbike team for the 2009 season. He will partner current rider Miguel Praia.

A product of the Red Bull Rookies programme, Eugene struggled in 250GP racing for the last two years on machinery that wouldn’t let him compete at the front. Now the 2004 British 125cc Championship runner up and 2006 third-place finisher in the British Supersport Championship is ready for a return to winning ways.

“Racing for Parkalgar Honda is a great opportunity for me,” said Laverty. “The Parkalgar Honda team is top notch and that has been proved race after race in the World Supersport Championship this year. It prepares a very fast and competitive motorcycle and I can’t wait to be racing it.

“A big plus with Parkalgar Honda is the team is English-based, which means we all speak the same language and come from the same set of islands.

“I think I will be able to compete for the top three in the World Championship – but more than that I am racing to challenge for top honours – exactly the same targets as Parkalgar Honda. There are strong riders in the series for 2009 but I think I can run with them all and I have proved it already this year by taking a podium third place as a wild-card rider at the Vallelunga round of the Championship – that has to be my career highlight to date. It also shows me the competition can be beaten.

“I know quite a few of the tracks the series visits but not them all, however, I didn’t know Vallelunga and managed a podium on my first visit, so learning tracks will not be an issue.

“I am looking forward to getting back to racing at the front and can’t wait to get testing with the team. Thanks to Parkalgar Honda for its faith in me, I will not disappoint.”