Craig Jones remembered with statue honour

By ELOISE WALTON [email protected]

Craig Jones, the former Parkalgar-Honda rider who died tragically in August last year following a race at Brands Hatch, was commemorated with the unveiling of a statue in his memory at the Algarve Motor Park.

Many friends, former team mates and family of Craig Jones were present at the unveiling of the statue on October 22 on the main roundabout at the entrance of the motor park.

Following the unveiling, Paulo Pinheiro, director of the Parkalgar team and the Algarve Motor Park, said: “After the tragic accident that killed our rider, this statue in his honour is the least that we can do. As well as being an excellent rider, who I am sure had a phenomenal career ahead of him, he was a unique human being. This statue will ensure that Craig Jones is never forgotten.”

The statue unveiled is a temporary model, with the actual seven-tonne statue still being sculpted out of marble and due to be ready by July 2010.

The temporary statue to British motor bike racer Craig Jones. Photo: ELOISE WALTON.

Sculptor Paula Hespanha said that the statue is a replica from a photograph of Craig Jones when he crossed the finishing line at the Misano circuit in Italy.

Craig Jones’ mother Yvonne Jones told the Algarve Resident: “The statue is just fantastic. There just aren’t words to describe it. I think it’s mega – that’s a word that Craig would have used.” Craig Jones’ father Steve said that the family were not staying in the Algarve to watch the racing this weekend.

“We don’t think it’s right for us to be around the team because they need to concentrate on winning,” he said.

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