Under new regulations for 2017 which saw a reverse grid for the first time in World Superbikes, Milwaukee Aprilia rider Eugene Laverty started from 5th. He was in the thick of the action from lights out, quickly progressing on the new Aprilia RSV4 RF.
From 5th Eugene fought a thrilling battle with Alex Lowes and Xavi Fores for the lead. He rode hard but was unable to maintain his pace throughout and eventually came home in 10th with 6 points.
The results are not what the team hoped for coming to Phillip Island, but they have gained a wealth of invaluable data from Round 1 and will continue to progress and take steps toward the front of the grid for Round 2.
Round 2 of the 2017 WorldSBK season takes place at the Chang International Circuit in Buriram, Thailand from 10-12 March.
Eugene Laverty #50
Grid – 5th / Race – 10th “It was a really tough race today. At the start we had some good pace and I was shaping up to take on Alex [Lowes], but my pace dropped off and I started to go backwards. I rode hard and I tried to hang on, but our race pace just wasn’t enough. The track hasn’t really played to our strengths this week and that’s shown, but I’m confident we can use this weekend to find some pace and improve.We don’t just want to take small steps forward; we want to take big chunks out of the guys at the front. At the moment the bike is some way from them, but the team know that and I know they’ll work to fix it.”
Source: Milwaukee Aprilia