MotoGP: Eugene Laverty looking to bounce back in Australia

Eugene Laverty is confident he can return to form in next month’s Phillip Island 250 MotoGP in Australia after he endured a nightmare in Japan last weekend.

Laverty pulled no punches after his hopes of a third successive points-scoring finish were crushed in the Twin Ring Motegi.

And in a damning verdict after he slipped from a promising 13th on lap seven to 19th, the LCR Honda rider said: “The chassis is a piece of shit to be honest.

“I’ve never ridden with anything like this. Normally a chassis responds to changes, but we make big changes with this and it does nothing.”

Eugene Laverty claimed eight places in the opening seven laps and held realistic hopes of a top 12 finish until conditions improved and he couldn’t increase his pace.

“When the conditions came better I couldn’t get anymore grip. It was just spinning and while the other riders could up there pace I couldn’t do anything.

“It was impossible. I’m disappointed because I just dropped like a stone,” said the Irish rider.

“I’m confident I can get back on track in Australia. It is a technical track and we’ll need to make the bike better,” added Laverty.