Eugene Laverty lands World Supersport chance

Irish rider Eugene Laverty has been handed a golden chance to put himself in the shop window for 2009 after landing a two-race World Supersport deal to replace injured Fabien Foret.

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Laverty will ride Foret’s Yamaha R6 in the Donington Park round on September 7 and again in Vallelunga in Italy a fortnight later.

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Already considering numerous offers to switch to World Supersport in 2009, the current 250GP privateer has been given clearance by his Blusens Aprilia squad to accept the Yamaha slot.

Laverty had expected to ride in the Donington Park round on a Honda FireBlade for Paul Bird in the World Superbike round, but he was prevented from accepting the deal.

“I’m really happy because this is a great chance for me to show what I can do on a competitive bike. I’m grateful to my Blusens Aprilia team and Yamaha for giving me this opportunity. I’m already seriously looking at a few options in World Supersport next season, so this will be a chance to impress.

“It will also be a chance for me to gauge the level of where I’m at having been on a 250 for the last two years. I’ve not given up trying to stay in 250s but it is looking difficult and I want to be on a competiitve bike.

“I’m doing a good job this season with the package I’ve got but it is hard to progress, “said Laverty.