Laverty signs for Sterilgarda Yamaha WSB squad

World Supersport contender Eugene Laverty has signed for the Sterilgarda Yamaha WSB squad for 2011.

The 24-year-old from Northern Ireland will campaign the factory R1 alongside current MotoGP rider Marco Melandri, who signed last week.

Laverty, who is currently second in the World Supersport class behind Kenan Sofuoglu, said: “It’s great to have a contract signed at this stage while still fighting for the title in the Supersport class. I desperately want to win this year before moving on.

“When I rode the Yamaha YZF-R6 in World Supersport in 2008 I was having a tough time in 250s, it’s nice that Yamaha brought me to the fore and are now giving me the opportunity within superbike.

“Ben Spies winning the championship in 2009 and Cal Crutchlow now stepping up and winning races shows the bike and team are more than capable so the rest is up to me.

On riding with Marco Melandri, Laverty commented: “Having a teammate like Marco Melandri is great, he has a wealth of experience to learn from so I’m going to enjoy riding with him.”