Laverty confident for opening race

Eugene Laverty will start tomorrows 21 lap race World Supersport race from fifth position after an impressive performance during final qualifying.

The Parkalgar Honda rider arrived at Phillip Island with only limited testing and unlike his main rivals had never ridden his Supersport machine at the Australian circuit.

He said: “I was actually on schedule to go third fastest until the last split, but I ran wide out of Lukey Heights and that cost me a couple of positions. It’s still me best qualifying performance in Supersport, better than Vallelunga last year so I’m happy enough.

I wanted to make sure I was the first two rows and I’ve done that and in terms of race set-up we’re looking good. Now I just need to make sure I can get away with the front guys.

“We’ve only got one option when it comes to rear tyre and it’s going to be a case of making it last. We’ve done some laps on ours and as long as the track temperature is under 40 degrees we will be grand.”