Parkalgar Honda's Eugene Laverty put on a flawless display of riding to take the World Supersport win at Portimao this afternoon but a fourth place for Cal Crutchlow means the Coventry man lifts the 2009 title.
Laverty got off the line and into the first turn with Ten Kate Honda's Kenan Sofuoglu in second and Crutchlow in third, but no-one could do anything about the Irishman's pace as he stretched his lead to more than four seconds halfway through the race.
Crutchlow settled into a rhythm, only allowing Parkingo Triumph's Garry McCoy to go past, and he followed the Australian home to take the World Supersport title at the first time of asking. Sofuoglu ended up second with McCoy third.
Parkingo Triumph's Chaz Davies finished in seventh place with Michael Laverty in 14th and Kevin Coghlan in 15th. Sam Lowes retired with 13 laps to go.
