It's back to the future for ambitious Laverty

Saturday, February 10, 2007

By Jimmy Walker

Step backwards to go for-wards.

That's what 25-year-old road-racing star Michael Laverty feels about his move into the British Supersport class this year after what may be termed two fruitless sea-sons in the British Superbike.

The likeable Laverty who has been reunited with the TAS Suzuki team said: " I took a look around what was on offer in the Superbike class this year and I felt that there really was nothing for me.

I had ended my term with Paul Bird and to be quite honest I had nowhere to go in the main bracket.

"So I decided rather than stick to the Superbike and become an also-ran I'd be better off moving to a smaller class, the Supersport with a chance of winning it and that's what I intend to do."After this year Laverty's plan is to go back into Superbike next season, having of course already won the Supersport champi-onship.

"That's the plan at any rate," he said..

"I'm delighted to be back with Philip Neill and the TAS Suzuki team and I know that Philip will be behind me in my efforts not only to win the Supersport class this sea-son but to make a major dent in next year's major championship."So who are the dangermen?: "To be honest there's no one around who I feel I can't beat.

Kawasaki have Stewart Easton, Yamaha have Billy McConnell and HM Plant Honda have Ian Hutchinson.

In addition John McGuinness who will be riding for HM Plant in the big road races like the Isle of Man TT will be on a Padgett Honda.

"This is a formidable list of British championship riders but I feel I can handle them.

"In fact I'd be very disappointed if I didn't win the championship for I have had plenty of experience in this class."Michael can say that again for he finished third in 2002 as well as 2004 and was fourth in 2003 so he has always been among the fron-trunners in this championship.

And when you look at some of the machinery he has ridden - Millar Honda, Vitans and Munster Mob Ducati he has certainly been riding with the stars.

So how will it go this year? Michael is very easy to talk to on these matters and he certainly is not the sort of person to inflate his own ego.

He said: "You know I was dis-appointed in not winning the Sun-flower Trophy for the fifth year in a row at Bishopscourt.

At the same time though I realised that I couldn't go out there and win in-definitely.

I had four successes in a row and my run had to come to an end sooner rather than later.

"Jonathan Rea was a better rider on the day and he deserved his success. "Rea of course in the British Su-perbike championship and it will be interesting to see how he gets on among the biggest names in the sport.

I can understand Laverty feeling he has been put into the shade but I take his point that a British Supersport victory would more than cancel out the fact that he is missing a season in the bigger championship.

Next for Laverty and many other Northern Ireland riders is a trip to Spain for the pre season testing at Cartegena - a session run by the ubiquitous Barry Symmons.

Symmons tells me he has "or-dered up" a large number of Ulster riders including Laverty for the testing which takes place on March 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Barry also said: "In addition to the TAS Suzuki boys Michael Rut-ter and Ian Lougher will be there, along with Martin Finnegan who will be first time out on an MV."After the Cartegana outing Laverty has lined up the big meet-ing organised by the Dundrod club at Kirkistown on St Patrick's Day March 17.

"I've spoken to Philip Neill and it looks as if our team will be at this meeting, " says Laverty.

"It will be nice to have a run out at home so early in the season!"