Laverty thinks big for Silverstone

Date published : 21 Jul 2011 - 11:36:50

WSBK rookie Eugene Laverty (Yamaha World Superbike Team) will be hoping for better fortunes at next weekend's Silverstone round of the championship following the disappointment of Donington earlier in the year. On that occasion, of the strong British contingent, only Leon Camier managed to step onto the podium with a third place in race 2. From that point on however the season of the 25-year-old from Toomebridge, Ireland has gone in a totally different direction, thanks to a sensational double win at Monza and consistently positive form which have earned him fourth place in the championship table. Laverty is now looking forward to a great result at a track that easily adapts to his riding style. "Having two rounds in the UK this season is great as I get another bite at the cherry. I've really been looking forward to Silverstone after I suffered a dreadful home round at the start of the year. Silverstone is one of my favourite circuits on the calendar, following the best victory of my career in the World Supersport category there last season. The circuit has undergone some infrastructure changes since last year's races, both of which were won by Laverty's predecessor in the Yamaha World Superbike Team Cal Crutchlow. Although the track layout remains the same, the start/finish straight is now between Club and the fast Abbey right-hander, the corner where Laverty last year made his decisive move on Kenan Sofuoglu on the last lap of the Supersport race. "The fast nature of the track really suits my style and there are many passing opportunities if it comes down to a last lap fight. The start/finish line has been moved for 2011, so I'm going to have to rethink my race strategy. Last year I made my race-winning overtake into Abbey on the last lap, but it's now the first corner which changes things quite a bit. I'm looking forward to the new challenge though and I'd love nothing more than to walk away with a victory, or two, at my home round."